A new Philippine Cup champion will be crowned with four teams contending in the prestigious conference that crowns the best All-Filipino squad.

The first semifinals series tips off on Thursday between the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters against the Alaska Aces. On Friday, top-seeded San Miguel Beermen collide with rival Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.

(2) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs (3) Alaska Aces

The E-Painters are raring to make it back to the Philippine Cup Finals once again. Coach Yeng Guiao has been brilliant in utilizing his players this season and finding gems such as rookie Jericho Cruz and unheralded Jonathan Uyloan. He has also relied on Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Beau Belga and Paul Lee to lead the team. One thing going for them is their desire to win a Philippine Cup title for coach Yeng.

Calvin Abueva has been brilliant for the Alaska Aces in this conference. He has found his groove in averaging double figures in points and rebounds. Eric Menk and Vic Manuel have been steady frontcourt contributors for the team while JV Casio & Dondon Hontiveros have exploded at the right time in their elimination games, and now coach Alex Compton is hoping they can do the same for the Semis series.

(1) San Miguel Beermen vs (4) Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters

Defense has been the key in the Beermen’s campaign this conference as they have limited their opponent to below 80 points, with the league’s reigning MVP Junemar Fajardo dominating the paint and staying consistent this conference. The Beermen has found a gem in their trade for Jeric Fortuna has been floor-spacing outside threat they have been longing to partner with Fajardo.  Unclear what this sentence is trying to say. Please rephrase.

Hoping to reclaim the title they won in 2013, the Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters have been shooting the lights out from 3-point territory with Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier and Jimmy Alapag as gunners. Inside presence has also been made more evident by brusque operators Rob Reyes, Harvey Carey and Kelly Williams, with rookies Matt Rosser and Kevin Alas making their own impact as well.

Who will gain the upper hand in each of the series to book a seat to the Finals?

Catch the LIVE action only on TV5 starting at 7PM on weekdays and 5PM on Sundays for the duration of the 2014-2015 Philippine Cup Semifinal round. Live streaming and EXCLUSIVE interviews can be seen on Sports5.ph. Radio listeners nationwide can also follow the action on Radyo5 NewsFM (92.3 NEWSFM Manila, 101.9 NEWSFM Cebu, 101.9 NEWSFM Davao, 102.3 NEWSFM Bacolod and 97.5 NEWSFM General Santos.)