Beermen, Aces dispute 100th PBA championship

With 30 championships between them and a 100th league title up for grabs, expect the best-of-seven finals showdown between San Miguel Beer and Alaska as something special. Both teams will be meeting in a championship encounter in more than a decade, but for coaches Tim Cone of Alaska and Siot Tanquingcen of San Miguel Beer, their impeccable records speak well on how interesting the series is expected to turn out. “We have a lot of respect for San Miguel. We’ve not played together in the finals in years. A lot of things have changed. But this team has so much depth. They have various ways of playing and honestly, they look formidable to us," said Cone, owner of 12 PBA championships, the winningest among active mentors in the league. “They are capable of attacking us from here and there and we just have to figure out ways as the series go along." Cone will go up against Tanquingcen, who carries a perfect record in a finals showdown – 3-0. “Yes, I’m 3-0, but coach Tim is four times better in terms of championships won," said Tanquingcen, who won two championships with Ginebra and one with San Miguel. Tanquingcen and the Beermen are the reigning, defending champions in the tournament and seeking to become the first team since Red Bull to defend an import-laced crown. Red Bull, then handled by Yeng Guiao, won back-to-back Commissioners Cup crown in 2001 and 2002. For Alaska, a record-tying 13th championship will put the Wilfred Uytengsu franchise in the company of the legendary Crispa Redmanizers in the second all-time list for most number of championships. But which team has the advantage in this best-of-seven series? The well-rested Beermen or the tired but tested Aces, who are coming off two hard-fought series in the quarterfinals and semifinals that went both the distance? “When you’re playing in the finals, it’s not a matter of who’s well-rested or who’s tired," said Cone. “Last conference, we were the well-rested team and the first squad to make it to the finals, but Purefoods ripped us apart." “I’m not tired. I don’t feel tired," said Alaska forward Joe DeVance in jest. “I feel good." Tony dela Cruz has a personal wish in his third trip to the finals with Alaska. “Hopefully, third time is a charm," said Dela Cruz. Alaska reinforcement and Best Import candidate Diamon Simpson is happy to be in the finals in his first stint in the PBA. He gave a more promising notion regarding his intention to play in the league next season. “I was so blessed to have good teammates and I’m happy to play in the finals. I can’t wait to get this thing done and I can’t wait for next year, which I believe is going to be tough," said Simpson. DeVance, who entertained the Puerto Princesa crowd during the annual PBA All-Star Game with his upbeat dance, is now preparing for a waltz in the finals. “I’m a versatile dancer. But I can do waltz only if we win the championship," said DeVance. Tanquingcen agreed with Cone’s views regarding the Beermen’s manpower edge. But the Beermen mentor was quick to heap praises on his veteran counterpart on the things he has done for his squad despite losing a marquee player. “The marquee player I’m referring is not Sonny Thoss, but Willie Miller. How Coach Tim was able to make adjustments in the middle of the season without his top gunner speaks well on how great a coach he is. Of course, Thoss is another marquee player, but even if Alaska played without him, they were able to pull it off over the favored Talk N Text squad," said Tanquingcen. San Miguel players have a more familiar battle cry: Beat LA! LA, is of course, LA Tenorio, Alaska’s sparkplug who played a key role for the Aces in the semifinals against Talk N Text. “Beat LA, that’s our battle cry. If we stop him, we have a good chance," said Hontiveros. Gabe Freeman, who is seeking for his second Best Import plum and a second straight championship with the Beermen, sees a hard-fought, seven-game series. “To be honest, this is going to be a hard-fought series. Alaska does everything to win. As for Diamon, he is going to be a tough match up for me. He’s long and highly skilled," said Freeman. Alex Cabagnot, acquired by San Miguel this season, is playing in his first finals in the PBA. “I think we’re here for a reason. I’m excited to play in my first finals," said Cabagnot. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV