‘ENERGIZER’ SHOOTS LIGHTS OUT IN SEMIS
Talk ‘N Text defensive ace Ryan Reyes is just happy to step up to the scoring plate whenever his team needs him.
With the team’s usual gunners like Larry Fonacier, KG Canaleta, and specially point guards Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro, attracting double-teams during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series against Rain or Shine, Reyes had a field day shooting three-point shots, particularly in Game Three where he played the fireman’s role.
The former PBA Rookie of the Year scored 15 points, on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc to spark Talk ‘N Text to a 99-91 victory and a three-game sweep of their semifinal series against the injury-plagued Elasto Painters side last week.
Rain or SHine, which played without injured players Jervy Cruz, Chris Tiu and JR Quinahan, and a hobbling import Wayne Chism, managed to close in at six points late in the fourth period, but with Reyes shooting well from the three-point land, the Tropang Texters maintained their perfect record this conference by winning their 13th straight game.
“Everyone’s gotta be prepared. Jimmy and Jason, they get a lot of attention on offense, so once they (Elasto Painters) double-team, they just find their guys outside and I happen to be open outside, so I just shoot when I’m open,” said the 30-year-old Reyes, who earned his first Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation for the period of April 28 to May 4.
Reyes averaged an astounding 63.6 percent shooting from the three-point land in the semifinal series, showing that he can explode anytime when given the opportunity in the talent-laden Talk ‘N Text squad.
Though Talk ‘N Text is three wins away from becoming the first PBA team ever to win a championship via a conference sweep, Reyes said that is farthest from their minds.
“We’re not even thinking about that (sweep). We’re just focusing on getting our rest and win it one game at a time,” said the third overall pick in the 2007 PBA annual draft who went on to win top freshman honors at season’s end.
Talk ‘N Text is just waiting for the winner of the San Mig-Air21 semifinal series, which is being played as of press time. The Mixers lead that series, 2-1. (RD)
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