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In two separate meetings in the past, Ryan Gregorio and Purefoods twice humbled Tim Cone and Alaska, including in the 2002 PBA Governors Cup Finals. Be that as it may, Gregorio however, wouldn’t make a big deal about his success against the man considered among the best coaches of all time.
Coaches Tim Cone of Alaska, left, and Ryan Gregorio of Purefoods, right, pose with PBA Commisioner Sonny Barrios and their players during Monday's presscon for the coming PBA Philippine Cup championship series at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City. GMANews.TV
"I’m not looking at it that way," said Gregorio. "Coach Tim is the better coach and will always be. Players are the ones who win games, not coaches. It was just that I had better players during those times." The young coach actually even considers his Giants the underdog against the fresh and well-rested Aces in Game 1 of their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven Finals series on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Unlike the Aces who went to the semifinals outright and then, completed a 4-0 sweep of Barangay Ginebra to make the finals for the 24th time, the Giants had to inch their way slowly to earn the chance of facing Alaska. First, they survived Rain or Shine in a best-of-five quarterfinals series that went the full route, before stunning top seed San Miguel Beer in six games in the semifinals, a tight routine that make the Giants’ legs suspect for the 7:30 p.m. encounter. Cone however, wouldn’t buy such an idea. "When you’re in the Finals, you never get tired," said Cone. Describing the Giants as long, tall and quick, Cone believes they have the materials to match up with their opponents. And besides, Alaska also showed its capability to win even with two-time most valuable player (MVP) Willie Miller struggling offensively.
Purefoods' James Yap, center, chases the ball while surrounded by Alaska's Willie Miller, from left, Tony Dela Cruz and Jeff Cariaso during their elimination round game in the PBA Philippine Cup. GMANews.TV
"This isn’t a Willie Miller show alone," said Gregorio. "They have a nine-man rotation and they win big even if Miller only scores four points." That’s obvious in Game 1 of the Aces’ semifinals series against Ginebra, where Miller shot just 2-of-11 from the field and missed two free throw attempts but Alaska still romped away with a 104-79 victory. In the four games opposite the Kings, Miller averaged only 9.75 points a game. Incidentally, this marks the seventh time that Alaska and Purefoods will be meeting in the Finals. The two teams are tied at 3-3 in their finals match-up with the Aces winning two All-Filipino titles (1996 and 2000) and one Governors’ Cup in 1997. Purefoods, on the other hand, has won with Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan in the 1990 Third Conference, with Chot Reyes in the 1994 Commissioner’s Cup and the 2002 Governors’ Cup with Gregorio. Alaska is making its 24th championship appearance and eighth in a Philippine Cup, looking forward to clinching a 13th title overall and fourth in a tournament without imports. Purefoods is making a stint in the Philippine Cup for the 13th time, the most by any ball club. The Giants have already won fourth Philippine Cup crowns. – GMANews.TV
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