THE last finals’ berth will be up for grabs tonight as Muntinlupa and Parañaque clash in a no-tomorrow encounter at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The Angelis Resort-backed Cagers and the Gamboa Coffee-supported Patriots battle it out at 7 p.m., with the winner earning the right to face the Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay in a best-of-five championship series, where teams playing in the finals will play in alternate venues.
Muntinlupa set up a winner-take-all showdown following a big win at home, 66-56, in Game 2. It was a big bounce back win for the Cagers, who were beaten soundly by the Patriots in Batangas City in their series opener.
With the series down to one final game, expect the Cagers and the Patriots to fight for every possession.
Ex-PBA player Chito Jaime continued his solid showing in the conference for the Cagers and he is expected to carry the brunt for Muntinlupa. He finished with 26 points, including 11 of his team’s first 19 points.
But it was the Cagers’ defense that stifled the Patriots, who were held down to just 56 points.
“Siguro sa depensa pa, ‘yun pa ang dapat naming i-improve. We just have to keep the kind of energy we played in Game 2. Kung puwede nga lagpasan naming dahil I’m sure, all-out rin ‘yung kalaban,” added head coach Aldrin Morante of Muntinlupa.
For the Patriots, getting more productive games from ex-PBA player Harold Arboleda and Gab Dagangon and Jemal Vizcarra.
Rebounding will also be a crucial factor in tonight’s do-or-die encounter as the Patriots were clobbered in the battle of the boards, 60-50, by the Cagers.
Muntinlupa also played better as a team the last time around, dishing out 16 assists to Parañaque’s only nine.