For the first time in a while, here's a PBA finals without either San Miguel Beer or Barangay Ginebra.
But for most of the fans, it's a welcome change especially as it pits two teams of equal caliber, with similar brand of play and both driven by a desire to end a long drought.
Alaska Milk and Magnolia clash for the PBA Governors Cup crown, and it looks well like a title playoff with all the trimmings of a classic clash.
The long breather before the start of the series on Dec. 5 at the MOA Arena adds to the excitement.
As for the Aces and the Hotshots, the breather allows them to recover from the rigors of the almost daily grind in the past three weeks and be ready for what could well be a war of attrition.
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It's a battle of wits between two former backcourt tandem in the defunct MBA looking for a breakthrough coaching title in the PBA, a classic matchup between two high-quality imports and a war between two teams both without a title at least in the last four years.
The Aces were even 0-4 in their previous title playoffs while the Hotshots dropped their title duel versus the San Miguel Beermen in the last Philippine Cup.
"One of them is once again emerging as PBA champ. It's a virtual coin toss. Match na match, and it's really an exciting series," said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial during the pre-finals press conference at Sambokijin restaurant in Eastwood City Tuesday.
The consensus among everybody is that it's a tough series, and it could well boil down to execution.
"It's a battle between two of the most disciplined teams in the league," said Magnolia top official Rene Pardo.
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"Wala akong nakikitang advantage namin, pero wala rin naman akong nakikitang disadvantage. Pero syempre positive kami na kaya namin kunin ang championship," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
"I have no idea (on how would the series go). What do I know? I expect a great series. About the player matchup, alam natin lahat magaling si Paul (Lee), si Jio (Jalalon), si Mark (Barroca), si Ian (Sangalang), si PJ (Simon) at si Romeo Travis. But how they're playing as a team is the bigger issue," said Compton.
"I love how they play offensively and defensively. Ibig sabihin nyan I would hate watching the tape to review their game. I expect a great series," Compton added.
These two teams figured in seven previous titular series but not in the last eight years.
Alaska's Sonny Thoss and Magnolia's PJ Simon are the remaining players from the last time the two teams clashed in the finals in the 2010 Philippine Cup. Coach Ryan Gregorio steered Purefoods to a 4-0 sweep of the Tim Cone-mentored Alaska team then.
"Back then, we're running the triangle offense. It's a slow game. We're playing a lot faster game now," Thoss recalled.
Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero, Jeron Teng and Simon Enciso lead the new Alaska cast that aches to win a first PBA crown and level at 4-4 the championship matchup record between Alaska and Magnolia.
The Aces shoot for a 15th crown in all while the Hotshots aim for a 14th title. (SB)
