Game today:
Araneta Coliseum
8 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. San Mig
San Mig Coffee vs Rain or Shine File photo (pba.inquirer.net)
Grand slam or grand spoiler?
The San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters battle for one last time as they shoot for all the marbles in tonight’s winner-take-all Game 5 of the PBA 39th PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters forged the sudden-death affair with a rousing 88-79 win in last Monday’s Game 4, stalling San Mig bid of completing a rare grand slam.
“We just postponed their party. We hope to have a chance to cancel it Wednesday,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after the win.
The two squads have alternated wins and losses in the series and Rain or Shine is looking to break the pattern.
The last time the Elasto Painters won back-to-back games was in their best-of-five semifinal series against the Alaska Aces, where they came back from 1-2 series deficit by winning Games 4 and 5.
“As long as we’re playing with energy and intensity, we have a chance,” said Guiao, adding that Game 5 is all about who wants it more.
San Mig coach Tim Cone, who is looking to become the first coach to win two grand slams in the league, said the team’s dismal defense in Game 4 did them in.
The American mentor also admitted that the Coffee Mixers are feeling the pressure of completing the fifth grand slam in league history.
Crispa (twice), San Miguel Beer and Alaska are the only grand slam winners in the long history of the league.