BY NOLI CORTEZ

BOTH in their mid-30s, Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino know there are only a few years left in their playing careers.

Yet they are not ones to look that far ahead, especially now that there’s a task at hand.

"Focus muna tayo dito," said the 35-year-old Aquino, referring to the Realtors’ Smart PBA Philippine Cup championship series against the Purefoods Giants starting today at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Bihirang opportunity itong makarating ka ng finals, All-Filipino pa. Kaya saka na iyung usapan tungkol sa retirement," the 6-foot-9 center added, his sentiment shared by his 34-year-old frontline partner and team captain.

"Malaking bagay ito dahil nga All-Fillipino," said Espino. "Kung baga, ibang level na naman ito kaya kailangan buhos talaga."

Aquino has had five previous career finals appearances and Espino and Paolo Mendoza two each. Their experience and leadership are sorely needed by their younger teammates, led by sophomore Kelly Williams and rookie Ryan Reyes, against the more veteran Purefoods crew.

In all, 10 of the Giants combine for 40 finals appearances, that awesome experience making them the favorite to win the Emilio "Jun" Bernardino Trophy.

Should Purefoods ultimately follow up on its 2005-06 RP Cup championship romp, it will be its 12th title and fifth A-F crown, tying it with the fabled Crispa Redmanizers.

Sta. Lucia has been to the finals only twice before and will be gunning for only its second title after an initial one in the 2001 Governors Cup. This is also its first clear crack at an A-F title.

Yet Giants coach Ryan Gregorio doesn’t want to harp too much on SLR’s relative inexperience and hunger. He’d rather concentrate on motivating his own team.

"The way I look at it, winning a championship is like eating three meals a day," he explained. "You may have had your breakfast or lunch, but you’d still eat because you’ll ultimately get hungry still."

Besides, the way Gregorio sees it, the Realtors could prove to be a dangerous opponent because of their desire and ability to translate that into wins.

That was stressed in their two elimination-round meetings which were wins for Purefoods, but both hard, come-from-behind ones.

"They’re a different team now than then," noted Gregorio.

"Also, the fact they automatically made it through to the semifinals and then hurdled Alaska prove just how tough they are."

That’s why the youthful coach doesn’t want to look at any pre-tournament chart and refused to project how far the series will go.

"I don’t believe in predictions, odds, seedings" he maintained. "So as to how far the series will last, I don’t want us looking too far ahead of ourselves."

Realtors coach Boyet Fernandez also doesn’t care for any prediction. "Kahit na short or long, as long as we win the championship," he said.

For the moment, there’s still some time to savor the moment.

"Eto na ’yung Finals," said Giants star James Yap, who is making his third championship appearance starting on his 26th birthday today.