Red Bull hopes to be crowned king

San Miguel’s dynasty is tottering on shaky grounds with Red Bull lurking in the shadow, looking ready to complete a shattering coup.

One win away from pulling off what could be remembered as one of the most stunning upsets in PBA finals, the Thunder play the embattled multi-titled Beermen in Game Six of their best-of-seven showdown for the Commissioner’s Cup crown at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

If Red Bull scores another triumph again over San Miguel in the 7:30 p.m. tiff, the Thunder will end the Beermen’s grandslam aspiration, stealing the crown which the SMC franchise kept in its possession the last two years.

Enjoying the decisive 3-2 lead in the series, Red Bull has two virtual match points in the series. But coach Yeng Guiao said they will treat tonight’s game as a do-or-die battle, fearing they would be in deep trouble if they give the Beermen another day to live.

The Thunder moved a win shy of the title as they carved out a 79-77 thriller of a win in Game Five Wednesday despite a lethargic four-point showing from Best Import awardee Tony Lang.

Tension ran high in the game that players of the two teams nearly figured in a brawl on their way to the dugout after the contest. Supporters of both teams also figured in a commotion with the Big Dome security force putting several names on the blotter for figuring in a separate clash also minutes after the game.

Red Bull assistant coach Gil Lumberio, player Jay Mendoza, San Miguel assistant coach Art dela Cruz, Danny Ildefonso and import Nate Johnson were summoned to appear at the Commissioner’s Office yesterday. They’re likely to draw fines for their involvement in the fracas.

Guiao threw praises to his local players after the game although he felt they will need a good job from Lang to have a good chance at making it two in a row tonight.

"Minsan lang mangyari na lahat ng local players magkasabay-sabay na lalaro ng maganda. Jackpot ang nangyari sa Game Five, mahirap ng mangyari uli iyon so we need a good game from Lang," said Guiao.

Guiao said he will have special adjustments in their game for this special game but refused to reveal what will it be.

In Game Five, with the team facing disaster while hardly getting anything from Lang, Guiao abandoned their set plays and called on Willie Miller who proved to be their biggest saviour.

Pushed to the limit for the first time in their last six stints in the finals, San Miguel coach Jong Uichico said they now have a tough task at hand but stressed he’s not losing hope they can salvage the series.