MANILA — For the first time ever, it will be the San Miguel Beermen against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Finals.

The Beermen are coming into the series having won 14 of their last 16 games, with one of their two losses coming against the Bolts in their last game of the elimination round, while Meralco is entering the Philippine Cup Finals for the first time.

But while the two squads are set to create history in their first-ever pairing in the championship round, one of San Miguel's winningest players is familiar with their new Finals opponent — former Meralco pioneer Chris Ross.

"From when I first started, it's night and day," said the SMB vet, who was one of Bolts' players when they entered the league in 2010 by taking over the franchise of the now-defunct Sta. Lucia Realtors.

The Filipino-American guard played alongside the likes of Mac Cardona, Marlou Aquino, and Asi Taulava in the team's early years in the PBA, and he stayed there until 2013 as he was thereafter traded to the San Miguel franchise.

But while it was in the Beermen wherein he won his 10 PBA titles, Ross is still proud of where the Bolts are at present and all of their achievements so far. 

"None of the coaching staff is there anymore. Cliff [Hodge] is the only holdover, Rey Hugnatan is now part of the coaching staff. But they put in the work. They've had some heartbreaks, but for them to be in their first All-Filipino [Finals appearance] in 14 years, it's amazing for them."

And even if it is only Hodge and Hugnatan who are the ones whom he played with back then, Ross emphasized that he still holds Meralco close to his heart. 

"I've been cheering for those guys from afar because their franchise gave me the opportunity to show what I can do in this league. I got a special place for those guys in my heart," said the guard.

"I'm excited for those guys, man. I mean, it comes with time. Every team's goal is to win a championship, and when you don't win a championship, you want to shake some things up," he continued, when asked about how the Bolts' roster has evolved throughout the years.

"They've definitely done that, and it seems that they have the right mix."

"In this conference, they started out slow, but now they are getting their bearings. Those guys are pushing all the right buttons. Coach Nenad [Vucinic] is doing an amazing job with their players."

"It's gonna be a hard-fought series for us, and I'm looking forward to it," Ross added.

Still, like the competitor that he is, Ross said that their bond pauses their faceoff on the hardwood which will start on Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"I don't want them to win this championship. I hope they win a championship, but just not this one," he said.