Philippine Sports News and Updates

Sta. Lucia Realty faces Rain or Shine while San Miguel Beer battles Barangay Ginebra today in a pair of interesting quarterfinal matches in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Realtors meet the Elasto Painters in the first tussle at 5 p.m. in a game coach Boyet Fernandez claimed having a “50-50 chance.”

“This is a very tough one,” Fernandez said, adding that Rain or Shine is one of the top offensive teams in the PBA right now.

Foremost of Fernandez’s concern is the Elasto Painters’ effective zone defense, something Rain or Shine had used when it got back at the Realtors the second time they met in the elimination, 80-79 on Dec. 3. The Realtors won the first time they met last Nov. 14, 88-85.

“We have to play our defense and be ready for Rain or Or Shine’s zone defense,” said Fernandez.

Format in quarterfinal round is best-of-three for both pairs, with the other pair pitting sister teams Beermen and Gin Kings starting off their own series in the main game at 7:20 p.m.

Odds are just about even for the Beermen and the Gin Kings, who have also split their elimination encounters, with the former beating the latter by a mile, 118-89, last Oct. 22.

The Gin Kings perfected their revenge nearly a month later, on Dec. 20, by posting an 87-82 victory in a road game in Batangas City.

Knowing their vulnerability in a short, tough series, SMB coach Siot Tanquincen said: “We have to come into the game mentally tough and stay focus on playing the game the right way.”

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, aware of the fact his Gin Kings are against a team dotted with plenty of superstars, is not leaving anything to chances either.

“We have to find a hole in their team and take advantage of it. But the question is, do they have a hole,” Uichico said.

The winners after the series will advance to the semifinals where Alaska Milk and Talk ‘N Text are waiting.