Talk n Text and Petron are expected to mix it up in a virtual fistfight with all the pent up emotions that have built up on and off-the court in this bitter PBA Governors Cup title duel reduced to a best of three.
The Texters and the Boosters are ready to explode or implode which has been the storyline of this series with all the hard fouls and scathing remarks adding up to what is already a volatile situation.
Nearly lost in the title showdown is the bid for a grand slam for one team and redemption for the other as the coaches’ word war has become more of the staple than a sideshow in the series.
There had been alleged challenge for a fistfight and a lukewarm handshake from Petron coach Ato Agustin and TnT mentor Chot Reyes in a personal feud that has added fire to the seething rivalry.
Game Five of the playoff is set at 7 tonight with the series tied at 2 after the Boosters did what was needed to be done in Game Four, stopping the Tropang Texters from running and imposing their own game to fashion out a 105-83 rout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Agustin’s troops stood their ground even as Reyes went with a four-small-and-one-big lineup obviously to quicken up the pace.
“The bottom line is that we’re able to contain their running game. I’m pretty sure they will make adjustments and we have to find ways to counter it,” said Agustin.
Reyes, meanwhile, said the series is now more about desire and determination.
He said the team that outworks the other gets the pivotal 3-2 lead.
He said that’s the case in Game Four.
“My players didn’t want it and the other team wanted it more. It showed in the effort. We couldn’t set the pace and we lolled into their own pace,” Reyes said.
He particularly mentioned Ali Peek.
“We’re sending out a missing person’s bulletin on Ali Peek. Danny Ildefonso has been kicking his butt; both cheeks,” rued Reyes.
Reyes played Peek no more than nine minutes in each of the last three games after being outplayed by Ildefonso in the series opener.
In Game Four, Peek playef for only three minutes.
Talk n Text team captain Jimmy Alapag said they’ve taken some rest and it’s time to get back to work.
Not a few did find the Tropang Texters seemingly relaxing a bit in Game Four after beating the Boosters by a whopping combined margin of 45 points in Games Two and Three.
“They relaxed and we took advantage of that,” said Agustin.
Alex Cabagnot played his best game in the series, collecting 16 points, seven rebounds and the same number of assists to help the team get even with TnT.
“I felt it’s my responsibility to step up and help the team,” said Cabagnot.
Source: Phil Star
