BACK TO THE BATTLEFRONT FOR PIVOTAL 3-2 LEAD

Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236

Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239

Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685

Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688

Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730

The rough-and-tumble PBA Commissioner’s Cup finale between Talk n Text and Rain or Shine resumes Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the appropriate warning from the Commissioner’s Office already made.

The Tropang Texters and the Elasto Painters dispute the pivotal 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series in the presence of a larger security detail following the tumultuous Game Four that saw a near free for all and the ejection from the game of TNT rookie Matt Rosser and ROS’ players Jireh Ibañes and JR Quiñahan.

The three were fined P40,000 each for their flagrant infractions. Quiñahan was assessed an extra fine of P10,000 on top of a game suspension for a fighting stance against Talk n Text import Ivan Johnson.

The Elasto Painters will be without two players if Jeff Chan continues to be bothered by his foot injury.

Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico, however, believes the series – down to a best-of-three – boils down on who can execute amidst the extra ruggedness of the series.

“It’s not physical. It’s not intense. It’s rough basketball,” said Uichico.

In all his years in basketball, Uichico said this is the roughest series he’s ever got into.

Commissioner Chito Salud, however, has cautioned all concerned individuals.

“(The Commissioner’s Office) notes the propensity of players from both teams to engage in unnecessary off-the-ball grappling/jostling, extra motions and trash talking,” said Salud.

“These non-basketball moves and actuations will be called. As we remind both teams that the responsibility of playing the game on its merits ultimately rests on them, the game officials have been directed to take the appropriate measures to prevent the recurrence of these incidents,” Salud added.

With league supremacy at stake, it’s a given that the contending teams will give it all. It’s really up to the refs what will they allow.

“It’s not a question of backing down. Neither team will back down. It’s about what kind of game the league wants to sell,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.

He felt Ivan Johnson has got away with some many things, with his attention not being called.

“In Game Three, Johnson charged into Paul and it wasn’t called a charging foul. The next time he did it on Paul, may kasama nang siko, and that’s the reason why Paul broke his teeth. Had they called the foul the first time he barged into Paul, di na sana nangyari yung pangalawa,” said Guiao.

“That’s been the story. He bumped Gabe (Norwood). He bumped Raymond (Almazan). But the refs just let it go, so lumakas ang loob, pati coach binangga,” added Guiao, thrown to their bench on a hard contact from Johnson in Game Two.

But despite all these, the two teams insist they’re ready to play.

“We just tied the series. We live to fight another day. We’ll be back on Friday and Sunday,” said Uichico.

“It’s a nice series and I don’t want it to turn to an ugly series,” said Guiao. (SB)

Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254

Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280

Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318

Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328

Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442

Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459

Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475

Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481

Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490

Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525

Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538

Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543

Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555

Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578

Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585

Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595

Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600

Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609

Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664

View comments

TAGS:

Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239

For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.

Warning: Undefined array key "ss2_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1418