Duel of best, oldest

MANILA, Philippines - In a fitting climax to the league’s centennial tourney, San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk, the league’s oldest and most dominant teams, renew their rivalry as they dispute the PBA Fiesta Cup crown in a best-of-seven series starting with Game One at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Beermen and the Aces, both grand slam champion teams with a total of 30 championships won between them, figure in a dream battle in the league’s 100th tournament.

The series opener is set at 7:30 p.m. following the 5 p.m. duel for third place between B-MEG Derby Ace and Talk n Text.

Before the opening tip, the Best Player of the Conference and the Best Import will be named. The BPC could either be Jay Washington or LA Tenorio while the Best Import is a toss-up between Diamon Simpson or Gabe Freeman.

Then the war begins.

San Miguel has beaten Alaska Milk in their last six matches in the Fiesta Conference but both teams say the championship series is an entirely different thing.

Forget San Miguel’s depth. Forget Alaska’s weary legs.

“When you get to the finals, it’s a whole new mental and physical level. The excitement is there. The excitement overrides tiredness,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “In the last conference, we’re supposed to be the fresh team but Purefoods ripped us apart.”

San Miguel definitely has the edge in manpower but coaches Cone and Siot Tanquingcen agree this won’t be much of a factor in the series.

“Yes, we have the edge here and there. But it’s not much of an advantage. Good if all 15 men play at the same time. But it’s only a five-man game,” said Tanquingcen.

“Right now, they look very formidable. So we have to go down and dirty, and try to look for their weaknesses,” said Cone.

Players of the opposing teams said they’re ready for the tough grind.

“I’m happy to be here the second time and I’m hoping to win this thing,” said Freeman, the 2009 Fiesta Conference Best Import leading the Beermen past the Ginebra Kings last year.

“It’s my first time in the finals and I want to win,” said SMB pointguard Alex Cabagnot, though expecting a tough job covering Tenorio.

“Our motto right now is ‘Beat LA,’” said Dondon Hontiveros, also faced with a tough matchup versus Cyrus Baguio.

“To me, Alaska is the toughest team in terms of discipline and how they execute. I expect a great series,” said Washington.

The Aces are highly motivated, given another crack at a championship. It’s their second straight finals and third in the last four conferences.

“Third time is a charm. We’re hoping to come out on top,” said Tony dela Cruz.

“We fall short the last time. We’re very excited to be back in the finals and we’re raring to do better. Talk n Text is tough and San Miguel could be tougher. But I have faith in my team. We’ll play harder,” said Joe De Vance.

San Miguel is in its 31st finals, gunning for a 19th crown while Alaska is in 24th final, looking for a 13th championship in its 25th year of membership in the league.

Alaska has a 3-2 edge over SMB in their five previous title collisions.

The Beermen, however, are 2-0 versus the Aces in this conference. SMB pulled off 95-89 win over Alaska on April 11 then repeated with an 85-74 victory on June 26.