BY NOLI CORTEZ

JUST how tough the heart of a champion is will be known starting today when the wildcard phase of the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference begins at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

No less than last year’s winner Alaska and three other former titlists are featured in the wildcard phase, where the duelers knock each other out for the right to earn the lone remaining quarterfinals seat.

The Aces take on season-opening winner Sta. Lucia Realty while Purefoods and Talk N Text clash in the other game, with the winners squaring off on Friday. Whoever emerges victorious in that match takes on Ginebra in the best-of-three quarterfinals.

Considering the quality of the opposition, it will be a long, hard climb, indeed, and this fact is not lost on the combatants.

"The wildcard field is made up of teams that are mostly pre-tournament favorites and should be in the upper half of the standings," noted coach Bo Perasol, whose Air21 squad is safely ensconced in the semifinals after topping the wildly-fought eliminations. "Kahit sino ang manggaling doon puwedeng maagtuloy-tuloy."

Such comments could only further stir up the air of uncertainty surrounding the wildcard phase.

That is why Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team has beaten Alaska twice in the eliminations, stated there could only be one course.

"We need to bring our A game tomorrow if we want to win," he said, speaking on behalf of the other duelers.

Alaska got into a funk after going on a six-game winning streak, losing four of its last five games. That slide was capped by a 90-97 loss to Ginebra last Sunday that denied the Aces the last automatic quarters berth and relegated them to sixth.

That should not take anything away from the Aces’ potency, according to Fernandez. "Alaska is a very strong team, well-coached and very disciplined," he said, while adding what should be the overall game plan.

"The team that will come out strong and be steady in the endgame will win."

The second game should also be a humdinger.