MANILA, Philippines – When Rain or Shine rookie Chris Tiu takes the court against Talk 'N Text in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, he will be playing not just against the Tropang Texters but also against his college coach.

Now an Elasto Painter, Tiu will battle his college coach Norman Black in the Finals but the former Ateneo standout insists the games won’t affect their friendship outside the court.

“Like what Coach Norman said, it’s a battle, it’s a war. You have to do what you have to do to win games,” Tiu said in a press conference prior to the best-of-seven Finals.

“It’s nothing personal, we’ll be friends again afterward,” he added.

Tiu, who won a UAAP title with Black while playing for the Blue Eagles, admits that it will be somewhat strange for him to play against his old coach.

“It’s gonna be something new,” he said. “Ever since Ateneo, I’ve been playing under Coach Norman, Coach Sandy (Arrespacochaga), Coach Jamike (Jarin).”

“We’ve won championships, we’ve lost a semis series... It’s gonna be something new,” Tiu said.

The Texters defeated the Elasto Painters in their lone elimination round match-up in the Philippine Cup, 80-77.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven Finals will be on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.