Fiesta Cup finalists Alaska, San Miguel collide sans imports

No Diamon Simpson. No Gabe Freeman. It’s just Alaska against San Miguel. Purely an all-Filipino encounter, mano-a-mano. In a rematch of the last Fiesta Cup Finals, the Aces and the Beermen cross paths Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum in a potentially explosive match-up that will see the teams part ways on top of the PBA Philippine Cup. And lest it be forgotten, no Siot Tanquingcen too for San Miguel. Instead, Ato Agustin will be the man calling the shots for the Beermen in their 7:30 p.m. match, the same guy who has steered the team to two straight wins and tie the Aces and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters for the top spot with similar 3-1 cards. For sure, the Beermen are aching to win this one for their coach, and especially for themselves after being shocked by the Aces in last season’s Fiesta Cup title series, 4 games to 2. And with no Simpson roaming the post for Alaska, Agustin has his eyes set on two of the Aces’ top gunners in L.A. Tenorio and Jo DeVance. "Sa kanilang dalawa nag-uumpisa ang plays ng Alaska," Agustin stressed. "So we have to contain them." "Alam naman natin na ang Alaska ang pinaka-disiplinado pagdating sa offense," added the 1992 PBA MVP, who took the coaching reigns at SMB two days after losing the NCAA Finals with San Sebastian against San Beda by a sweep. The Beermen were simply awesome the last time out, scoring a conference-high 119 points against Powerade's 94 in a road win at Panabo City over the weekend. That San Miguel did it in the absence of Jay Washington (strained muscle) and Joseph Yeo (sprained ankle) made the win even more impressive. Alaska coach Tim Cone certainly took notice of it. "They (Beermen) were a scoring machine against Powerade, scoring 98 points in the last three quarters," said the American mentor. "Needless to say, defense will be a premium if we want to get back on track." The Aces are coming off their first setback in the season-opening tournament, courtesy of Air21 Express, 89-86. "We’ll have to be much better against San Miguel," said Cone. Like Alaska, Talk ‘N Text is one team that is also looking forward to getting back on the winning track after Sol Mercado’s top-of-the-key jumper steered Rain or Shine to a 95-93 victory and shattered the Tropang Texters’ perfect record. Chot Reyes and his boys meet the Powerade Tigers in the 5 p.m. curtain raiser. "It will be interesting to see how we will react to our first loss," said Reyes. Powerade coach Bo Perasol admitted it would be a tough task meeting two of the top teams in the tournament in two straight games. "It’s really difficult coming from a tough loss and then going up against a team like TNT," said Perasol, whose Tigers hold a 2-2 record in a tie with Air21. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV