Talk ‘N Text Sweep PBA Philippine Cup Finals Series, Individual Awards

When Talk ‘N Text won Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series versus Rain or Shine last Sunday, January 13, head coach Norman Black vowed that they will try to close it out on Game 4, Wednesday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. And so they did. The sweep is finally complete as the Texters won via a 105-82 blowout to realize their dream of winning three straight Philippine Cup championships, after about three decades since Crispa Redmanizers did so.

When asked about the secret to their success at the finals, coach Norman Black coyly said, “Talk N Text just played great basketball tonight. Sometimes, it happens.." As if they weren't already viewed as the powerhouse team in the PBA, Talk 'N Text had sealed their status as the current most dominant team in the league. 

Black's magic, therefore, carried on from the UAAP to the PBA wherein he came out fresh off of helping the Ateneo Blue Eagles achieve their historic five-peat. Jared Dillinger and Ranidel de Ocampo led the team to victory in Game 4, which helped to carry the team to another historic feat - they are only the fourth team in the league's history to sweep their opponent in the finals. 

Before the start of this finals series, expert sports analysts predicted a big match, which eventually turned out to be a huge mismatch as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters failed to even score one. Norman Black refuses to discredit his opponent, though, saying: "No question Rain or Shine is tough, but the Alaska series helped us a great deal against them. We fought Alaska tooth and nail."

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine head coach took part of the blame for his team's inability to compete in the PBA Philippine Cup finals series. During his post-game interview, Yeng Guiao reveals, "It's my fault. I failed to prepare them the way they should've been prepared [against Talk 'N Text]".

Jason ‘The Blur’ Castro Named Best Player of the Conference

Image: Spin.ph

Jason Castro has just been crowned the Best Player of the Conference for 2012-13 PBA Phillipine Cup on January 16, the same day that his team swept their Finals series versus Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The speedy point guard was the third overall pick during the PBA 2008 draft. Despite being fourth only in the statistical points but he obtained the highest number of votes from the players, media, and PBA officials.

Jason Castro garnered a total of 1,146 points while his teammate Ranidel de OCampo was a far second with 730 total votes. Third on the race was Alaska Aces rookie Calvin “The Beast” Abueva, as Arwind Santos and Sol Mercado round up the top five, with fourth and fifth place, respectively.

This will be the highest individual award or achievement for Jayson Castro since the start of his career in the PBA. During the 2010-2011 Philippine and Commissioner’s Cup finals, however, he was the co-awardee of the Finals MVP trophy.

Ranidel de Ocampo Named Finals MVP

Image: PBA.ph

Talk ‘N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo was named Finals MVP after the series concluded last night to a 4-0 championship win for the Texters. During the finals series, de Ocampo registered an average point of 18, along with 8 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

De Ocampo could not hide the fact that he was surprised when his name was called upon the awarding of the Finals MVP award after the 105-82 win for his team. Before PBA Media Bureau President Mulong Castillo called out the name of the awardee, he asked the crowd who they thought won the award. Then, his teammates started chanting De Ocampo’s name led by former Finals MVP Jimmy Alapag.

But numbers don’t lie. Even when De Ocampo wasn’t expecting the award, his contributions to the team’s effort to win the finals was undeniable. Aside from his statistical average, he also chipped in an impressive 41.9 shooting percentage.

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?   

Talk ‘N Text Takes Game 1 to Lead the PBA Philippine Cup Finals

Image: sports.inquirer.net

Defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters managed to calm down a slight storm late in the fourth quarter to snatch a win against Yeng Guiao's Rain or Shine Elasto Painters squad during Wednesday's game in the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This gives Talk 'N Text a 1-0 lead over their opponent in the best-of-seven finals series in the ongoing PBA 2012-2013 Philippine Cup. The two teams are scheduled to play for Game 2 on Friday, January 11. 

Both Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier made crucial baskets for Talk 'N Text to hold off Rain or Shine's last fourth quarter rally. It was a close call given that the latter managed to drop their formerly double-digit lead to just four with a little less than 3 minutes left in the game.

During his post-game interview, head coach Norman Black revealed that he was "very pleased with the way [Talk N Text] played defense." And it was indeed a defense-fueled game with both teams not even reaching the 90-point mark. Talk N Text won by six points with an 87-81 game at the final buzzer.

The Texters' composure served them well during the end-game as they made crucial stops and baskets following a 14-2 rally staged by Rain or Shine. Either way, coach Norman Black is happy with the win but promised to make a few adjustments especially given their slight collapse that allowed the opposing team to come back after a huge lead.

Game 2 is surely going to be war knowing that the Painters will make adjustments. Even Black admitted that "they can bounce back" so make sure you won't miss the game on Friday. You can view the schedules here to learn about the venue and actual game time. 

Do you think Rain or Shine will even out the series? Or will Talk 'N Text going up to a 2-0 lead? 

PBA 2012-13 Philippine Cup Finals Set: Rain or Shine vs Talk N Text

Image: www.pba.ph

The Alaska Aces gave a good fight but it was for naught as Talk N Text emerged victorious during their Game 6 match off of their semifinals series. Earlier, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters already secured a ticket to the finals seat by beating San Mig Coffee Mixers in their own best of 7 series. And on Friday, Alaska Aces' back were against the wall as they were put in a do-or-die situation against the talent-laden Talk N Text team behind new head coach Norman Black. 

The combined efforts of Jason Castro, Kelly Williams, Jared Dillinger, and Ranidel de Ocampo helped to surge the Tropang Texters ahead of their competition for the most part of the game. Then, Jimmy Alapag exploded in the final half of the game to build an 80-71 lead for his team. It proved enough as the Aces suffered a dry spell and could not recover from the deficit established by their opponent. 

And the Texters prevailed and rose to the challenge as they made true with what Black promised to be a war on the court. The back-to-back defending champions defeated the Aces in an 83-78 fashion at the Cuneta Astrodome on January 4, Friday. This gives way to a battle of the champs with the Governor Cup champs Rain or Shine waiting to meet them at the finals. 

Aside from chasing another trophy, the Tropang Texters are also out for a new record. If they succeed in winning the championship in the PBA Philippine Cup, they are going to be the first time to win this conference three in a row after the legendary Crispa Redmanizers team did so in 1983. Head coach Norman Black is confident they can do that, especially after surviving the tough series against the Aces. 

But he isn't allowing himself to be clouded by the thought just yet. "Rain or Shine is a different package as far as competition is concerned," he adds. He also notes that "they're very physical inside both offensively and defensively."

While Talk N Text is chasing after their own record, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are gunning for back-to-back titles on their own. Needless to say, it is going to be a big battle waiting ahead for these two teams.

Which team do you think will run away with the PBA Philippine Cup crown?