Up 2-0 and just a win away from formalizing its entry into the PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals, the Alaska Aces know the series clinching victory always happens to be the toughest.

Especially when their opponent is no less than Barangay Ginebra.

Aces coach Tim Cone believes Wednesday's Game 3 at the Araneta Coliseum will just be as intense as the first two games of the best-of-five quarterfinals, which Alaska won by an average margin of three points.

"The first two games of the series could have gone either way and I believe Game 3 won't be any different. Expect both teams to scratch and claw for the win," said Cone.

The Aces moved on threshold of eliminating the Kings for the second straight conference following a thrilling 84-82 win in Sunday's Game 2.

They also won the series opener, 76-72.

"We pride ourselves in not relying on anyone, but everyone" added Cone. "And the only reason we go so hard is because we have a lot of respect for Ginebra."

Cone and the Aces have every reason to do so.

The last time the Kings found themselves staring at an 0-2 hole came in the quarterfinals of the last Philippine Cup, and the league's crowd favorite managed to survive the test following a Game 4 walkout instigated by Talk 'N Text.

Cone definitely has that in mind.

"We all know that Ginebra is capable of coming back," said Cone.

For that to happen, the Kings will have to start making their shots, notably from downtown.

The Kings are shooting blanks in the first two matches, going for a combined 16-of-53 from the three-point area.

"We just want to go through tomorrow (today) to get into a Friday game," is coach Jong Uichico's approach going into the 7:30 p.m. match.

The winner in the series will move into the semifinals where it faces top seed Talk 'N Text. The Tropang Texters made it outright after finishing with the best win-loss record in the eliminations (13-5).

In the other quarterfinal battle, Rain or Shine and Derby Ace break their 1-1 tie as Game 3 of their own series is played at 5 p.m.

The Elasto Painters bounced back with an emphatic 79-69 win in Game 2 as they held James Yap and the Llamados to their lowest total output this conference and a paltry 28 percent shooting from the field (23-of-81)

"I called practice yesterday just to do some extra shooting," admitted coach Ryan Gregorio. "Our shooting was off-form. I am convinced that our shooting will be more accurate in Game 3."

The win definitely boosted the morale of the Elasto Painters

"It's good to know that we are capable of winning against Derby Ace," said Elasto Painters' coach Caloy Garcia. "The morale is high and so is our confidence. We just have to stick to what we are doing right and remind the players that winning Game Two doesn't mean we will win the series. We have to work harder and be tougher." - RCJ, GMANews.TV