The Grand Slam-seeking San Mig Super Coffee Mixers and the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters kick off what promises to be a slam-bang Finals showdown in the 2014 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
The defending champion Super Coffee Mixers and the title-hungry Elasto Painters begin their best-of-five playoff tonight Tuesday, July 1 8 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Super Coffee Mixers are gunning for their fourth consecutive PBA title and a PBA Grand Slam
Mixers coach Tim Cone accepts the hype that surrounds the potential history that he and his team can make.
”Our dream is alive. It’s pretty amazing that we’re still here. No time to appreciate everything yet though, we have one more step to go and this is it,” said Cone, who is also looking to add to his record 17 championships as a coach in the PBA.
The Elasto Painters are the last obstacle that could stop San Mig from winning the coveted Grand Slam. Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao says he absolutely wants more for his squad.
”What we’re aiming for is our second championship and I believe we have a good chance even though we know how tough it will be against San Mig,” said Guiao. ”We’re not trying to stop the history of San Mig. We just want to make our own history.”
San Mig Coffee is seeking the franchise 13th championship overall.
The Governors’ Cup Final is repeat of the season-opening Philippine Cup championship won by the Super Coffee Mixers who beat the Elasto Painters in six games.
The swashbuckling Marqus Blakely of San Mig will be a tough matchup for the underrated Arizona Reid of the Elasto Painters.
San Mig will also have the edge in the locals as the team boasts of the deepest local bench according to no less than Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes.
San Mig will be bannered by two-time PBA MVP James Yap, shooter Peter June Simon, point guard Marc Barroca and talented big man Joe Devance.
The Elasto Painters are no slouch either with four Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts in Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Jeff Chan and the most-improved player this season in Big Beau Belga.
