By Reuel Vidal

ONE more to go.

The Alaska Aces and the Talk N Text Tropang Texters both gun for seats in the championship of the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup when they meet separate rivals at the Cuneta Astrodome today.

The Aces battle the defending champion Sta. Lucia Realtors in the 5 p.m. opening match, while Tropang Texters meet the San Miguel Beermen in the 7:30 p.m. main game.

A victory for Alaska and Talk N Text will lead them to a best-of-seven duel for the Philippine Cup title.

Alaska coach Tim Cone cannot help but get a feeling of d?j? vu about holding a 3-1 edge. After all, he held a similar advantage in the Philippine Cup semifinal matchup against the Giants two years ago. Cone lost that series and Purefoods eventually went on to win the Philippine Cup title.

?I have been here before,? said Cone. ?The last time we held a 3-1 advantage, we got beat. Most of my players then like Tony de la Cruz and Jeff Cariaso are still here. Truly a 3-1 lead is not a safe lead. We have to go all out for another victory.?

The Aces leaned on the team-high 20 points of Willie Miller to beat the Realtors, 88-83, last Wednesday.

They are hoping for a similar sterling effort from Miller to help them advance to the finals. The Aces will also rely on Joe Devance, LA Tenorio, De la Cruz, Cariaso and Sonny Thoss.

The Realtors are hoping to bounce back behind reigning Most Valuable Player Kelly Williams, Denok Miranda, Ryan Reyes and Dennis Espino.

Meanwhile, Talk N Text likewise wants to end its exciting semifinal duel against the San Miguel Beermen.