Purefoods takes shot at history against Alaska

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - No team has ever swept the PBA All-Filipino finals. But with the feat within reach, expect Purefoods to go for it.

“We are upbeat about our chances in Game Four. We expect a determined Alaska team to come out firing on all cylinders and we must equal if not surpass their effort,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Giants take on the embattled Alaska Milk Aces in Game Four of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup titular showdown tonight, looking to become the first ball club in league history to score a 4-0 sweep in the all-Filipino finals.

Gametime is 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum with the Giants also out to distinguish themselves the first team to win the prestigious tourney five times after the Crispa Redmanizers in the early years of the league.

The Best Player of the Conference will be named before the opening tip-off, and it could well be Purefoods top gun James Yap.

The Giants intend to step up their game to complete their mission of ending the team’s three-year title drought.

“It has been a defensive match-up. We will set the tone on defense. In the first three games, we’re able to disrupt the rhythm of their triangle offense. We intend to do the same in Game Four,” Gregorio added.

Alaska isn’t losing hope, though, despite being in a hole no team in league history has ever recovered from.

“Our attitude is that they beat us three straight so there’s no reason we can’t beat them three straight as well. We believe,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The veteran Alaska mentor is confident they can still regain the impressive form they’ve shown in topping the elimination phase then sweeping past the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.

If not, the Aces would go down in history as a team swept in the finals after sweeping their way in the semis.

The Giants are raring to finish off the Aces, wary of fatigue since they’ve been playing without relief since the quarterfinals.

“The same intensity on defense and intelligence in our execution of offense are required if we’re to close out the series,” said Gregorio, on line to achieve a third personal championship.

Gregorio and his troops set out for today’s game riding the momentum of a six-game romp, the team’s longest streak since a 7-0 start in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup.

Purefoods is 3-0 in a best-of-seven series versus Alaska for the second time after posting the same advantage in their 1994 Commissioner’s Cup finals duel. The Hotdogs were stopped then in Game Four before eventually winning the series in the next game.

Alaska went down 0-3 the last time versus Gordon’s Gin in the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup finale. The Aces survived two knockout games before succumbing in Game Six.

Cone said they have to solve Purefoods’ defense if they’re to get another day to live.

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