THE race for the crown is narrowed down to four as Ginebra faces Alaska while Purefoods battles San Miguel Beer in game one of the best-of-seven semifinal series Wednesday in the 35th Philippine Basketball Association-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings collide against top seed Aces at 5 p.m. while the Giants meet second seed Beermen at 7:30 p.m.

It would be a case of fatigue for Purefoods and Ginebra due to the tedious quarterfinal battles, against the long 18-day layoff by Alaska and San Miguel Beer that would count a lot early in the series.

Odds are about even between the Aces and the Kings as they split their two encounters in the elims, 1-1. Coach Tim Cone’s Aces won the first round, 105-96 on October 25, but the Kings bounced back in the second round, 93-90 on January 9.

“The long layoff is always a factor for us. But unlike the Christmas break, I feel we’ve prepared very well during this recent break. And we are instead focused now. We’re ready to play at a high level. The Gins are tough, no doubt. So we have to play tough also,” said Tim Cone, whose last game in the elims was on January 22.

Coach Jong Uichico somehow hopes to dwell on the strong momentum after dethroning Talk ‘N Text, 3-2, in the best-of-five quarterfinal round on Sunday.

“Fatigue is surely a factor. That’s for sure. That’s why being in great shape is so important. I need to do a good job of pacing the players. The road is tough for us. We need to find ways to win again,” said Uichico.

Experiences in a long series may count a lot, but Uichico said the Aces likewise got what it need being runner-up in the same conference last year.

“We know that Alaska just came from a championship series in the last conference. They have a swift and smooth system and we just have to try hard to counter that,” added Uichico.

One good thing for the Kings is they will suit up with an almost complete line-up with the return of reigning Most Valuable Player Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa. Only Junthy Valenzuela remain in the injury list.

For his part, coach Ryan Gregorio knew fully well that the Beermen have the edge having defeated the Giants twice in the elims, the first was 92-76 on November 11 and the second was 87-80 on December 13.

“San Miguel is by far the strongest team in the league today in terms of roster power. They are deep in every position from the frontline all the way to the backcourt. We really have to dig deeper and look for their weaknessed,” said Gregorio, whose Giants likewise came from a 3-2 win over Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals.

Gregorio, however, said that the tiring series with the Elasto Painters gave them opportunity to play much better in the conference, which he hope would be their advantage over the Beermen.
Frank Calapre