MANILA, Philippines—Chris Ross may be one of the PBA’s more amiable figures, but the San Miguel Beer veteran knows there’s no room for friendliness with a championship on the line.

In the Beermen’s Game 7 win over Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, Ross said he drew inspiration from LA Tenorio’s Game 6 heroics–but made it clear he’s all business heading into the Finals.

SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals – San Miguel vs TNT

“For me, whenever I play someone on the court, it’s all business. I put friendships or whatever to the side,” said Ross during the presser before the PBA Finals in Pasig on Friday.

“Especially now when they’re [also] gunning for a championship, there’s no time to be friendly with anyone.”

Ross brought that take-no-prisoners mentality last Wednesday night when he powered San Miguel back to the Finals after a 100-93 win over Barangay Ginebra at Araneta Coliseum.

READ: PBA: Chris Ross, fired up by benching, turns back clock in Game 7

The two-time Finals MVP channeled “Playoff Ross,” finishing with 19 points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds.

The 40-year-old floor general knows he needs to dig deep again in the best-of-seven title series–this time opposite a familiar face in former teammate Simon Enciso.

Enciso, who was waived by San Miguel and later picked up by TNT before the conference, also finds himself back on the Finals stage, only now on the other side of the court.

“We just go out there and compete, guard and play whoever’s in front of us. I don’t really see it as I’m playing a friend,” said Ross.

“I see it as I’m playing an opponent. We’re both gunning for the same thing. I’m sure they’ll put their best foot forward and we’ll do the same to try and win the championship.”

Ross and the Beermen take on Enciso and TNT in Game 1 of the Finals this Sunday at the Big Dome in Araneta, Cubao.