Defending champion Talk ‘N Text and challenger Rain or Shine will collide today in Game One of the best-of-seven championship series of the 38th Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coaches and players of both teams are expecting an extremely physical battle as the Tropang Texters are aiming for their third straight All-Filipino crown while the Elasto Painters are looking for their second straight title after winning the Governor’s Cup in August.

Game time begins at 6:45 p.m.

“This is going to be a hard series as both are strong teams. Rain or Shine is in its second finals, so I think it’s going to be tough,” said TNT’s Ali Peek.

Top gunner Ranidel de Ocampo, said that they are still hungry for the crown, “All I know is I’m still hungry to win,” he said.

For his part, TNT coach Norman Black said they will do their bests to win their sixth conference crown since joining the league in 1990.

“Our focus is to try to be the best that we can be. Rain or Shine can be very difficult to be playing with,” said Black, the same coach that led San Miguel Beer to a Grandslam win 1992.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao assured that they are ready for battle in a series that may last full seven games.

“We’ve been here, our team is for real,” said Guiao, who has four championship titles under his belt as head coach.

Talk ‘N Text won 80-77, over Rain or Shine in their lone meeting in the elimination round in October 27, in Victoria City, Negros Occidental.