Kings brace for Finals duel with Beermen

Too much power and too many weapons in so organized a team.

That's what San Miguel Beer displayed to the fullest in handing Burger King a 118-103 whopping last Sunday evening to secure the second finals berth in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

It took some time before the Beermen were able to unleash the full might of their well-stocked arsenal. But when they did they were simply unstoppable in their bid to close out the best-of-seven semifinal series in six games and realize a league-best 29th finals appearance.

The Beermen forged a return finals duel with the defending champion Ginebra Kings, who earlier bundled out the Elasto Painters 108-100 and also closed out their own series via a 4-2 count.

It will be the fourth finals duel between the sister teams and Tanquingcen was quick to say fans will be in for another treat.

"It's gonna be an exciting series. It's something different from our battle with Burger King," said Tanquingcen, a former assistant to Ginebra coach Jong Uichico when the Kings beat the Chot Reyes-mentored SMB team for the 2006-07 Philippine Cup title.

Things will be drastically different now.

"This is something new because I'm up with coach Jong for the first time in the finals. I enjoy playing against them kasi pagi-isipin ka ni coach Jong, kaya I look forward to playing them," said Tanquingcen, adding neither team has a clear edge.

"I would not say na dehado kami. You have to deal with Ginebra. It's going to be a different feeling now and I'm sure ganoon din sila sa amin," he stated, before pointing out what should be a major factor in the "Last Dance."

"The key is gonna be guys being free from any injuries."

Gabe Freeman dished out a double-double job with 26 points and 14 rebounds and four locals had at least 14 points each as the Beermen broke the game wide open in the third quarter to lead by as many as 20 points thrice, the last at 92-72.

Due to foul trouble, Freeman was on the bench for majority of the period.

But SMB turned to Danny Ildefonso and Jonas Villanueva in leading their attack that resulted in the Beermen rattling off 39 points against BK's 22.

With nobody among them able to fully step up and take charge, the Whoppers would come no closer than 15 points the rest of the way as they settled for a one-game playoff with Rain or Shine for third place. Noli Cortez - Malaya Online Edition

SOURCE: http://www.ngetstudio.com/Barangay_Ginebra_Kings/news/?id=7b3ade83-25f3-45bb-a7e1-9039eefade40