RoS, San Mig brace for war on Xmas day

MANILA, Philippines -  Instead of giving love on Christmas Day, San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine brace for war in what promises to be a highly physical duel at the resumption of their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four tomorrow at the MOA Arena in Pasay.

The Mixers and the Elasto Painters battle in a lone match at 5:15 p.m., breaking a one-game standoff after splitting the first two games of the best-of-seven series.

“Rain or Shine ‘yan. Babalik at babalik iyan. Mas physical ang Game Three (They are Rain or Shine and they will surely fight back. Game Three would be more physical),” said James Yap after erupting for a personal season high of 34 points to power San Mig Coffee to a 106-82 rout in Game Two Friday.

The Elasto Painters are aching to bounce back and erase the stigma of their stinging 24-point loss – their worst in the season.

Coach Yeng Guiao could only be feistier than ever after being tossed out in the third quarter of Game Two due to technical fouls.

He felt they didn’t get fair calls in that game and that they got frustrated, leading to their downfall.

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, said the key is for them to match the ferociousness of the Elasto Painters.

He was so disappointed with their soft stand in Game One that he gave his team a few, strong words then hurried home after the game Wednesday.

“I felt we weren’t playing the game like a playoff game. We didn’t play with ferocity to beat a team playing with much ferociousness. You don’t match that and you have no chance beating Rain or Shine,” said Cone.

With three days off in between Games Two and Three, Cone pulled off a masterstroke Friday night in practically shuffling in just seven core players to stun the Elasto Painters.

“We shortened out rotation, really putting pressure on James (Yap), PJ (Simon) and Mark (Barroca) to play extra minutes and carry the load,” said Cone.

“But I don’t think we can do that every game,” Cone added.

Cone hopes Jonas Villanueva to be ready to beef up their backcourt by tomorrow. Villanueva missed their last couples of games due to an ailment.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text and Alaska likewise gear up for an explosive face-off on Wednesday when they resume their own Final Four series, also tied at one game apiece.

The Tropang Texters took Game One, 66-65, but the Aces bounced back with a resounding 100-88 victory in Game Two.