DOGFIGHT AT THE BIG DOME
The last time Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text faced each other, it was April 9, when Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao was thousands of miles away on a business trip to the United States, and import Wayne Chism has been on a shortlist of reinforcements bound to be sent home after muffing a rebound play in a close game.
All assistant coach Caloy Garcia could do was to clasp his hands behind his head in disbelief after what just transpired in the tailend of a nip-and-tuck game.
The final count: Talk ‘N Text 85, Rain or Shine 82.
With the stakes higher this time, Guiao hopes that the ending won’t be the same as Rain or Shine begins its unenviable task of taking down the still undefeated Tropang Texters when these two squads start their best-of-five semifinal series Monday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Dispatching Meralco in a hard-fought quarterfinal series, Guiao and the rest of the Elasto Painters are set to face an equally, if not far more superior, opponent in the multi-titled Tropang Texters.
And the fiery coach knows that challenge all too well.
“We’re looking at it as a challenge and if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s as simple as it gets,” he said.
They needed a monster performance from Chism to dispatch the Bolts in Game 3, 97-96 in overtime, as the vastly-improved import had 37 points and 21 rebounds for the night.
“We got to the semis in a different way this conference, but the important thing is getting to the semis and being consistent,” Guiao said.
“The boys have been working hard. The coaching staff have been working hard and we have one day to prepare against the best team in the league right now which is Talk ‘N Text.”
Just two days separated from their Game 3 win, the E-Painters once again hit the court at 8 p.m.
They are primed for a dogfight with the well-rested Talk ‘N Text squad, which eliminated Ginebra in its own quarterfinal duel last Tuesday.
“All the credit goes to the players. They played their hearts out and they deserve to be in the semifinals. They have the will to win, the desire to win, and they’re giving their all on the basketball court,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black after a well-rounded 97-84 victory over the crowd favorites. “It’s good to be back in the semifinals.”
He also noted the triumphant return of his import Richard Howell, who is now one of the favorites to bag the Bobby Parks Best Import award.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize how strong he is. The norm for Richard Howell is 20 rebounds a night,” Black said of his 23-year-old reinforcement. “The break did him well, gave him rest because of his injury. Hopefully, he’ll be in tip-top shape in the semis.” (RL)
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