Updated November 19, 2008 12:00 AM

Alaska Milk looks to firm up its hold of the lead in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup and become only the third team in league history to nail a 700th victory when it clashes with Rain or Shine today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces and the Elasto Painters mix it up at 5 p.m. with the former out to keep their mastery of the latter and earn another milestone for the Uytengsu franchise, joining San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra in the 700 Club.

Alaska, on its 21st season in the league, is on track to making it to the elite roster in a record pace. San Miguel notched its 700th win in its 25th season in 1999 while Ginebra hit the milestone in the last Fiesta Conference or in its 29th year in the league.

The league’s most successful team in the 90s, the Aces scored 593 of the franchise’s 699 wins under coach Tim Cone.

And its is fancied to earn the mark since Rain or Shine has yet to beat it since joining the pro league in 2006.

Alaska won its four meetings against the Asian Coating franchise last season by an average margin of 14.5 points. Overall, the Aces have beaten the Elasto Painters in nine games by an average margin of 11.8 points.

The Aces, led by Willie Miller with 21 points, whipped the Elasto Painters, 91-84, in their first meeting this season last Oct. 19.

“We need to contain the enthusiasm they bring to each game,” said Cone in their bid for a repeat win.

“We’re excited to play Alaska because we know we’re up for a great test. We know it’s tough to beat Alaska but we believe we’ll have a good chance if we play as a team on both ends of the court,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Alaska leads the field with an 8-2 win-loss card while Rain or Shine is at third at 5-4.

Second-running San Miguel Beer takes on Sta. Lucia in the other game, hoping to bounce back from a loss to Alaska Milk the last time out.

“Everybody’s bunched closely so this is a crucial game. We need to get some distance between us and the next teams behind us,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen. “They (the Realtors) have key players who are injured. Even then, they’re playing well so we expect a battle.”

The Realtors may become short-handed even more with Kelly Williams a doubtful starter with a swollen right eye.

Ryan Reyes finally rejoined the Realtors in practice yesterday but coach Boyet Fernandez ruled out the possibility of the 2008 top rookie being fielded in this game.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=416666&publicationSubCategoryId=69