That seems to be the trend in the best-of-three affairs between Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine, and Alaska and Air21.

Ginebra and Alaska both won the series openers, but Rain or Shine and Air21 bounced back on Sunday to force sudden death matches on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

In the first two games, the victors are determined by how they played defense.

In the Kings’ 100-91 win in Game 1 last Friday, they held Rain or Shine import Hassan Adams to only 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field with six turnovers.

But the Elasto Painters came back with a 113-97 victory in Game 2 by forcing their opponents to 19 turnovers, which they translated to 24 points.

In game 2, Rain or Shine also shot 47.8 percent from the field to Ginebra’s 44 percent, a complete turnaround from Game 1 when the Kings shot better from the field (47.5%) compared to the Painters (44%).

“We’re able to establish our defense early,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, whose team finally won against Ginebra this season after a pair of setbacks in the Philippine Cup and a 90-95 setback in Panabo City two weeks ago.

In the other quarterfinal series, Air21 came through with a key defensive plays down the stretch to extend the series with a 94-84 win in Game 2. The Painters lost Game 1, 89-91, when Alaska rallied from 10 points down in the final period.

“I appreciate the kind of defense my team showed. We learned our lessons,” Air21 coach Bong Ramos said.

Air21 import Alpha Bangura had 40 points, including a tip-in of a second missed free throw by Danny Seigle that gave the Expess a ln 89-84 lead with 43 seconds left.

The winner of the Rain or Shine versus Ginebra series will face off the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, while Philippine Cup champion Talk 'N Text will either meet Alaska or Air21 in the best-of-five semifinals.

Toroman picks 4 PBA players

Meanwhile, Smart-Gilas Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman has chosen four PBA players, Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Dondon Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag to reinforce the national team in the FIBA-Asia Championship in September in Wuhan, China.

The four will join the Nationals right after the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

PC GILMORE faces NLEX

Giant killer PC Gilmore and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) dispute the solo lead in Group A as action in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup goes to the JCSGO gym on Tuesday in Cubao.

Fresh from a stunning g 99-97 win over the highly-fancied Pharex squad, the Ave Relucio-owned Computer Wizards are hoping to dish out the same energy and sharpness when they clash with the Road Warriors at 4 p.m.

Both teams are currently tied with the Blackwater Elite of Dioceldo Sy and Pharex at 2-1, thus making their showdown an all-important one.

In the first game, Maynilad Water shoots for its third straight win and the No. 2 spot in Group B when it takes on FCA at 2 p.m.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin