Defending champion Talk ’N Text had a light workout at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Ateneo University in the afternoon while Powerade had a practice session at the same venue in the morning.
Rain or Shine also had a light practice at the Northeast Green Hills gym in San Juan City, while Petron Blaze players opted to work first on their cardiovascular condition inside the fitness room.
It was the first training for all four teams after their respective coaching staff gave players several days of rest and to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.
“We had a good workout, just a light one to get the players return to their playing condition,” said Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao. “Even with the long break, these players know how to stay in shape.”
The Elasto Painters arranged a seven-game showdown against the Tigers, who stunned top seed and twice-to-beat B-Meg Llamados in their quarterfinal playoff, after they swept the Barangay Ginebra Kings (2-0) in the best-of-three quarters’ series.
Guiao said that they have yet to fully prepare for Powerade as far as the strategy against their semis opponent is concerned.
“We’ll do that in the coming days, particularly on what type of defense we’ll have against Powerade,” said Guiao, who likes his team’s chances against the Tigers whom they downed in their lone game in the eliminations (96-93).
As for Powerade coach Bo Perasol, he said some of his Fil-American players opted not to have a vacation in the United States, instead, the likes of Marcio Lassiter, Sean Anthony, Josh Vanlandingham and Will Antonio decided to stay in the country as they prepare for the semis.
“Nobody asked permission to go to the US. Everybody understands that this chance does not come often. We have to make sacrifices and we are happy doing it,” Perasol said, whose team is in the Final Four for the first time in seven years, or since the 2004 Fiesta Cup.
Talk ’N Text, on the other hand, resumed practice without the injured reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag (ankle), forward Ranidel de Ocampo (calf) and veteran center Ali Peek (gunshot wound in the nape).
However, Reyes said he’s hoping that the three can rejoin the team’s training this week.
As for Petron, which had a 0-2 record versus TNT during the eliminations, assistant coach Gee Abanilla said that the team will take a rest on Tuesday but will resume on Wednesday at the Acropolis Gym.
Game 1 of the Rain or Shine and Powerade series is set to start Jan. 4, 2012 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, while the series-opener of the TNT and Petron is scheduled to begin the following day at the same venue.
source: mb.com.ph
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