BY NOLI CORTEZ

THE way the opposing coaches look at it, the Purefoods-Sta. Lucia Realty title series in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup will not be a meeting between old friends that they are.

Rather, it will be a no-quarters-asked, none-given affair, much more torrid than the full best-of-seven semifinals series each team went through.

"We’re bracing for a real war," declared Giants coach Ryan Gregorio of the race-to-four series that starts this Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

"We will never back down," countered Realtors coach Boyet Fernandez, who played with Purefoods under Gregorio in the early 2000s.

While Purefoods is seeking a record-tying fifth All-Filipino title, Sta. Lucia is seeking its first. But there are other reasons why the enmity between the two teams has been magnified.

For one, Gregorio, like Alaska coach Tim Cone, believes the Realtors have escaped the game officials’ attention and gotten away with a lot of grabbing and pulling, especially in the semifinals where Sta. Lucia beat the Aces 4-3.

"If there are two teams that have adapted really well with the (new) rules, these are Red Bull and Sta. Lucia," said Gregorio.

"That’s why I’ll be definitely visiting the (PBA Commissioner’s) office just to make sure what we can do defense, because they (Realtors) really get away with a lot of touches and a lot of plays bordering on really, really getting physical," he added.

Fernandez couldn’t care less what Gregorio thinks of his team’s tactics that have made the Realtors the No. 1 defensive team in the league.

"We play tough, but not dirty," Fernandez stressed, obviously bristling at the notion his team plays out of bounds. "If my players play dirty then management na ang kakalabanin nila dahil ayaw na ayaw ng management namin ang maruming laro."

Purefoods beat Sta. Lucia twice in the eliminations, something the Realtors want to avenge. And no better stage to wipe off that slur on an otherwise dream season than in the league’s much-awaited title showdown.

Otherwise, there is mutual admiration between the two, belying the season-opening conference’s main theme.

Gregorio even looks at Fernandez with a feeling akin to admiration.

"Sometimes, when I was looking at him, I can see the excitement that I had (experienced) when I started out as a coach. The attitude, the never-say-die spirit is there. He’s coaching so loosely, he’s enjoying it," Gregorio said.

"I have a lot of respect for coach Ryan," Fernandez countered. "I learned a lot from him and my hat’s off to him for that."