WORK CUT OUT FOR TEXTERS AS THEY SEEK 2-0 LEAD
With his team barely pulling through Wednesday, Talk n Text coach Norman Black has become more concerned they have a job cut out for them versus Alaska.
Black is getting ready to burn the midnight oil as he doesn’t expect things to get easier in the next few games.
In fact, he was back to the drawing board right after their escape act Wednesday night.
Black and his troops are convinced they have to play a lot better Friday if they’re to make it two in a row over the Aces in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown.
Game Two is set at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
“Obviously, they did a lot of good things and we have to go back and take a look at that,” said Black after barely repelling the Aces’ tough challenge, 66-65, in the series opener.
Former TnT coach Chot Reyes, now concentrating on his job as national head coach, himself was not comfortable with what he saw in Game One.
“It may be 1-0 but methinks this low scoring clip favors the Aces,” Reyes opined.
The two teams engaged in a defensive battle, resulting to lowest output by both in any game this season.
The Alaska Aces had their satisfaction on their tough losing stand.
“Overall, it gives me hope. This (Talk ‘N Text) is a team that you would want to idolize. You look at them, they won four championships in the last three years. We’ve got some veterans and some rookies. We just have to work our way because this thing is not over,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
Talk n Text struggled with its shots in the face of Alaska’s tenacious defense but itself played tough “D,” shutting down the Aces in the last 2:30 of play to squeeze out the win.
The Tropang Texters went through the wringer, needing a three-pointer from Ryan Reyes in the last 14.3 seconds then a key stop to salvage the game they dominated in the opening half.
For the favored Texters, it was a relief more than anything.
“We grinded it out and it showed what the team is made of,” said Black. “We could have given up but we grinded it out in the end.”
Alaska had a chance to win the game but Tony de la Cruz took matters into his hands, missing a 15-footer off Kelly Williams with four ticks left.
A tough challenge definitely stares the Texters in the eye. (SB)
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