SOMEONE’S GOTTA GIVE – TEXTERS, E-PAINTERS GIRD FOR WAR
Both known to be no-nonsense teams, someone has to give as Talk n Text and Rain or Shine square off in a title playoff for the first time in the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup Finals beginning Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s going to be difficult as it’s going to be physical. There are things that they love to do that we also love to do. But someone has to give,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.
“I don’t think we have the advantage over Talk n Text. We’ll just be relentless. And I hope we’re going to be tough enough not to be the one that’s gonna give,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Both are fired-up and highly motivated as the two teams slug it out in the opener of the best-of-seven titular series at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Big Dome.
The Tropang Texters are out to become the first team in nearly three decades to win the all-Filipino crown three in a row while the E-Painters want a second straight championship after their breakthrough triumph in the last Governors’ Cup.
Two days before eventually facing off on the floor, the two teams shared the center table in the Pre-Finals Press Conference at Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City.
Being in the Finals for only the second time and ranged against a team that has won five titles in the last four seasons, Guiao painted his team to be the underdog. The Tropang Texters, however, aren’t buying it.
“Alam namin dehado kami. Against Ginebra (in the quarters), underdog kami. Against San Mig Coffee, di rin kami favored. Lalo na syempre against Talk n Text, pero gusto namin iyon,” said Guiao.
“Mas madami sila sa experience at championships. Kami isa lang, pero enough na ‘yon. Mas marami silang talent, kami barya-barya lang – no superstars but that’s enough,” Guiao added, stressing his belief that they have a good chance to go all the way to a second straight championship with the materials that they’ve got.
The Texters, however, are not concerned with the odds but just with the task at hand.
“Who decides who’s the favorite and who’s the underdog in the first place? And does it count? One needs to win four games to win this series,” said Black.
And the Texters coach just sounded so determined to win, be it via a short or a long series.
“I don’t care how the series goes. All we want is to win four games. If it goes four games, it goes four games. If it goes seven, it goes seven,” said Black, hoping to mark his return to pro play with a ride all the way to the top.
Black and Guiao know each other very well, having their battles from the 90s. They had a previous title showdown in the 1993 Governors’ Cup with Black prevailing with the San Miguel Beer team reinforced by Kenny Travis. Guiao then was with Swift with Tony Harris as import.
“Pareho pa kaming may buhok ni coach Norman noon,” said Guiao, smiling.
Black and Guiao have similarities as well as contrasts in their coaching styles, making them and their teams a good matchup in this title series.
“We’re the No. 1 offensive team in the league and they’re probably the best defensive team. They’re good in offensive rebounds but we don’t give much. They’re good in stealing the basketball but we don’t commit much errors either,” said Black.
“Talk n Text is a good offensive team that can play defense. We’re a good defensive team that can play offense,” said Guiao.
Their similarities include playing long rotation, playing an up-tempo game and playing a physical game. All these could spell war.
“It’s gonna be a hard-fought series, physical one. Both teams are both hungry and I’m not taking Rain or Shine lightly,” said Talk n Text center Ali Peek.
“The teams are pretty much even. They won the championship last conference and going for a second. We, on the other hand, are after a third all-Filipino championship. Both are hungry,” said TnT forward Harvey Carey.
“Yes, it’s going to be a physical series. Let’s get it on,” said RoS sophomore guard Paul Lee.
“We anticipate a tough series kaya wala kaming patumpik-tumpik sa practice. Mabibigat ang binubuhat kong weights dahil alam kong mabigat si Ali Peek,” said RoS center Beau Belga. (SB)
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