TEXTERS GUN FOR FINALS BERTH
Talk n Text tries to set up a repeat of its 2013 Philippine Cup title confrontation with Rain or Shine as the Tropang Texters seek to deliver the death blow on the defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The Texters ride the momentum of stirring back-to-back wins and are pumped up as they take their first of two cracks at closing out their best-of-five semifinal playoff with the embattled Hotshots.
Game time is at 5 p.m. with the Texters hell-bent on dashing the prospect of a do-or-die battle. Game Five, if necessary, will be on Monday also at the Big Dome.
Coach Jong Uichico would rather finish it in Game Four, knowing the great risk of playing a sudden death versus a team that Talk n Text hasn’t beaten in a playoff series in the last four years.
The Texters last beat the Hotshots in a playoff battle in the 2011 Philippine Cup semifinals, winning the best-of-seven series in six games.
The Hotshots dominated their succeeding playoff matchups, including last year’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals, 3-1, and the 2014 Governors’ Cup semis, 3-2.
Thus, Uichico insists Purefoods “is very capable.”
Stripped of the all-Filipino crown earlier this year, the Hotshots are aching to hold on to one of two remaining diadems they swept last season.
The Hotshots, however, must find a way to stop Jayson Castro if they’re to have a shot at a deciding Game Five.
Denzel Bowles might also better pace himself to save energy for the homestretch.
The Texters won Games Two and Three with Ivan Johnson outplaying the prolific Purefoods import when it mattered more.
Castro, meanwhile, has just been amazing in the conference and in the playoffs, very productive with averages of 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.67 in the semis.
For Purefoods, James Yap and Mark Barroca are the leading local scorers, averaging only 11.9 and 10.5 points, respectively.
Bowles has been carrying much of the load for Purefoods in the series. Alas, he’s a spent force at the finish in Games Two and Three.
The Hotshots, however, are not about to give up the fight.
“Hindi pa tapos ang series,” Yap stressed.
“Kailangan lang kalimutan na ang nangyari. Walang sisihan at focus lang talaga sa susunod na game,” Yap also said.
Needless to say, the Texters enjoy where they stand now.
“It’s always naman a good position to be ahead. You would rather be ahead than down. Whenever you’re ahead, you like your chances,” said Uichico.
“But of course, it’s up to you to take that opportunity because you have a chance. If you don’t take it, wala yung chance,” Uichico added. (SB)
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