Fiesta Cup semis cast known after Sunday’s sudden-death matches

MANILA, Philippines – Burger King collides with Sta. Lucia while Rain or Shine battles Purefoods in a pair of sudden-death games for the right to advance in the semifinals of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup. The two Game 3 quarterfinals matches are set at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday. The Whoppers forged the do-or-die game with a 91-84 beating of the Realtors in Game 2, while the Giants also did the same against the Elasto Painters following a thrilling 84-82 win. All four teams are coming off an 11-day break as the PBA-backed Powerade Team Pilipinas saw action in the 8th South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) men’s championship. The almost two week rest made Burger confident of its chance to repeat over Sta. Lucia. “The team is upbeat and ready to play," said coach Yeng Guiao, who guided the Nationals to the SEABA title in Indonesia. “Defense is still the key. We need to manage their import’s production and put pressure on their three-point shooters." Guiao’s concern revolves around Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson, who averages in the 20-20s in the series. Johnson exploded for 24 points, 24 rebounds and five blocks when Sta. Lucia beat Burger King in Game 1 (93-84), but got mediocre support in the Game 2 loss. Even in that loss, Johnson had 21 points and 21 rebounds. Rain or Shine, on the other hand, hopes that it could finally barge into the Final Four for the first time, aiming to bounce back from that painful two-point Game 2 loss to Purefoods. It almost swept the Giants after winning Game 1, 96-87. In Game 2, the Elasto Painters nearly overhauled a 24-point fourth quarter deficit before witnessing how their labors went in vain after Marquin Chandler connected on two free throws with 1.2 seconds left. “It’s anybody’s ball game," said RoS coach Caloy Garcia. “We just have to focus and not allow Purefoods to have a big start. Falling down by 20 or more points and coming back takes a lot of energy and we really don’t want that to happen again." Giants coach Ryan Gregorio said that surviving a do-or-die match for the third time this conference would be tough but stays positive over his team’s chances. “We are determined to survive and stay alive," he said. “We have prepared long and hard for Rain or Shine. All it takes is one game and we will grab the last semi-finals seat. It is a great motivation since we have failed to make the playoffs the last two conferences. “ The winner of the BK-SLR duel will move on to face league-leader San Miguel Beer while Ginebra awaits the winner of the Purefoods-Rain or Shine series. The semi-finals are best-of-7 series. – GMANews>TV