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IF only because the San Miguel Beer (SMB)-Alaska championship clash is littered with ambitions, if not dreams, the best-of-seven series promises to be another PBA Suspense Theater. Virtually all the ingredients are there for our delectation.
The much-anticipated showdown that began last night at the MOA in Pasay City pits teams with pedigrees and persons perceived as both luck-laden and hungry for recognition.
To begin with, SMB was the second team to win a Grand Slam in 1989, after the legendary Crispa did it in 1976 and 1983. Alaska authored its own Slam in 1993—becoming only the third squad to score a three-conference sweep since the league’s birth in 1975.
Both teams have a combined 63 Finals appearances—35 for SMB, 28 Alaska.
This seventh title encounter between the two will give the Beermen a chance to chop the Aces’ 4-2 margin further in total crowns won.
It used to be a yawning 4-1 Alaska edge until SMB snatch this season’s first conference at the expense of the Aces, after Arwind Santos buried a three in the All-Filipino’s thriller of a Game Seven.
Both coaches are now on a mystic-like mission.
After gallantly clashing for the season’s first crown, crushed to the bone were SMB and Alaska after they both crashed out of the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations.
Their second Finals stint therefore in three conferences is a huge vindication.
Leo Austria wants also to prove that his All-Filipino triumph as a rookie coach was not a fluke.
But Alex Compton is not only raring for vengeance but is extremely title-hungry in this his second Finals appearance in four conferences.
Even the imports are ambition-driven, with AZ Reid aiming for a first crown in his reported retirement outing with SMB after failing to give Rain or Shine a title in his numerous stints as a Painter.
Romeo Travis is also bent on solidifying his edge in the best import race so that an Alaska win is almost a must-achieve mission for the sweet-shooting bearded lefty.
And isn’t June Mar Fajardo, SMB’s rebounding pillar and Cebu’s pride and joy, almost a shoo-in to win his second straight season MVP award? The Beermen winning again would slam the door shut on Fajardo’s pursuers. Kaput.