Rain or Shine, Sta. Lucia aim to clinch Fiesta Cup semis slots

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine tries to make history Wednesday as it seeks a first ever semifinals stint in the PBA, hoping to achieve it at the expense of Purefoods when they collide in Game 2 of their Fiesta Cup quarterfinals series at the Araneta Coliseum. Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia is well aware this is the perfect chance for the franchise to advance into the Final Four as giving the Giants another lease on life would be too risky to take. “We have to finish it tomorrow (Wednesday) because Purefoods is a very dangerous team in situations like these," Garcia said. “The key is for us to come out more aggressive. We need just one more big game from my players." The Sta. Lucia Realtors also had the same thing in their minds as they try to formally oust Yeng Guiao and the Burger King Whoppers in the other quarterfinals pairing. “Closing out Burger King is as difficult as winning Game 1," said Boyet Fernandez of Sta. Lucia as the Realtors clash with the Titans in the 7:30 p.m. main game. “Knowing coach Yeng, they will surely come up with a counter-plan. But we will be ready." Both Sta. Lucia and Rain or Shine emphatically won the opener of their respective best-of-three series. The Elasto Painters subdued a Giants team that got limited points from key players James Yap and Kerby Raymundo in a 96-87 win,while the Realtors rode on the heroics of import Anthony Johnson in turning back the Whoppers, 93-84. – GMANews.TV