Talk 'N Text Gunning for a Sweep at the PBA Philippine Cup Finals

Image: pba.ph

If Talk N' Text Tropang Texters manage to continue on with their winning formula at the ongoing PBA 2012-13 Philippine Cup finals, they could be 48 minutes away from bagging their third consecutive All-Filipino title in the PBA. If that happens, this will be the first time in nearly three decades that such a feat was accomplished by any team in the most prestigious conference in the PBA.But doing that via a sweep? Much sweeter, I suppose. 

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters put up a tough stand during Game 3 of their Best-of-7 series at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday, January 13. However, it was not enough as the Texters went away with an 89-80 victory over Yeng Guiao's troops that gave them a seemingly impossible to overcome series lead. 

With the killer instinct running high, Talk N Text head coach Norman Black can assure fans that they will attempt to close it out on Wednesday, Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals series. Should they succeed in beating Rain or Shine four times in a row, it will be another impressive feat as Norman Black would mark his return as head coach in the league with a championship trophy. 

But the fight is not out in Rain or Shine just yet. However, it is also undeniable that they are faced with a difficult challenge of beating Talk N Text four in a row. Things would get even more difficult, though, as even the usually feisty RoS head coach Yeng Guiao has raised the white flag. During his post-game interview with the press, he claimed that their goal right now is "to try to delay their party or celebration". 

What made this an even more impressive win for the Texters was the fact that they came from behind. Clutch three-pointers rained in one after the other courtesy of Jason Castro, Jimmy Alapag, and Ranidel de Ocampo, which rallied them to a 16-4 run. Even though they were down upon the opening of the fourth quarter, they regained the lead as the Game 3 neared its last 3 minutes. 

Rain or Shine responded with key baskets from Ryan Arana and Chris Tiu. However, the Texters never let them get away with up to nine lead changes in the game. 

Make sure to check out the game on Wednesday to see if Talk N Text can close out the series by Game 4. Or, if Rain or Shine still has a fight in them to try and go for a sweep at the tail-end of the series. 

Do you think the Elasto Painters can produce a come-from-behind victory in the series?   

PBA Philippine Cup 2013: Air 21 Express Preview

Obviously, the Air21 Express is in the rebuilding process. The joke around the league is that, the team’s come-backing team executive, Lito Alvarez, is PBA’s version of Vicky Belo, as he made quite a full facelift of the tea.

Air 21roster has some good names. They’ve got the high-flyer and dependable perimeter defender KG Canaleta from a multi-player trade deal which also includes one of PBA’s draft pick bust Noy Baclao, the good post defender Rob Reyes and promising guard John Wilson from Ginebra.

Image: Kilikilishot.com

They acquired two players from the last draft: The “pogiboy” from La Salle, Simon Atkins, and 6’6 center Yousef Taha. 

They also acquired Bonbon Custodio, who obviously couldn’t find a spot in his former team’s congested SG rotation. But he’s not part of the official roster just yet. Don’t ask me why.

Obviously, Air 21 team captain, Renren Ritualo will benefit from these acquisitions, as these guys will ease the scoring load of the squad. And with the scrappy play of tested and proven veteran Nelbert Omolon, the Express are much approved this year. They are no longer an instant W for teams looking to better their standings, and may be a dark horse this season. Baclao, also, can finally have his minutes here, so he better get the most out of it and prove his worth.

The 0-14 campaign will no longer happen this year. But with the fresh faces they have, this team needs to work on their chemistry and learn defending faster and bigger teams such as Ginebra, TnT, Petron, and Alaska. And with that, I still don’t think this team can slip into the playoffs. Maybe next conference when they can play Smart Gilas’ remarkable center Marcus Douthit as an import. But not here in Philippine Cup.

Read more Cup Previews

Alaska Aces

MeralcoBolts

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Petron Blaze Boosters

Barako Bull Energy

San Mig coffee Mixers

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

Talk 'N Text Tropan Texters

GlobalPort Batang Pier

PBA 2012-2013 Season Wednesday Game Results

Image courtesy of PBA.ph

Barako Bull (90) – Air21 Express (87)

The Barako Bull’s off-season build up effort proved to be fruitful as they salvaged a win, albeit a close one, over a newly revamped Air 21 Express team via a 90-87 rout in a game wherein the result was determined only on the last few seconds of the game. Sean Anthony is the best player of the game, which proved to be a great debut for the new Barako Bull Energy player, after scoring 18 points. But it wasn’t just Anthony who carried the team on his shoulder because the team got a lot of contributions from the other guys such as Ronald Tubid (19 pts), Doug Kramer (14), Mick Pennisi (11) and Josh Urbiztondo (8).

For Air 21’s end, Nonoy Baclao had a breakout game with 18 points (new career high in the PBA). KG Canaleta and newcomer John Wilson helped out the team’s cause, but to no avail as the Barako Bulls Energy gained their first win for the season.

According to Barako Bull head coach Junel Baculi, “hopefully we can build on this win…we struggled defensively the whole night. I take my hat off to Air 21.”

The Barako Bulls Energy main man, Danny Seigle, had to sit out for the game as he was under the weather.

Rain or Shine (102) – Petron Blaze Booster (86)

Fresh from its championship run last conference, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters carried on the momentum for its opener of the season, beating Petron Blaze Boosters, 102-86. Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood, two players who came off from their stint in the Jones Cup and FIBA Asia Cup 2012, were pumped up for this game during their Wednesday Night clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and played tough against the Blaze Boosters.

This win came after the fact that new Blaze Boosters head coach Olsen Racela manned the sideline and that Paul Lee was still out from injury. Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao exploited the new coaching system wherein he noted, “this is the best time to play Petron when they’re still in transition, learning the new system under a new coach.”

Fajardo, the number one draft pick this year, was limited to only nine points by the tough defense of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.