Manila Standard Today -
THE championship series that everybody anticipated and expected is finally upon us. It will be powerhouse teams San Miguel Beer playing the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters for the championship of the 2010-2011 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Curiously, both squads arrived through the same route although one playing day apart. The Tropang Texters blasted the BMEG Derby Aces Llamados, 4-2, in their best-of-seven semifinal duel. The Beermen subdued the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, also 4-2, although they did it one playdate later.Chot Reyes and his Tropang Texters are making a return trip to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after Ali Peek scored 19 points and had 10 rebounds as Talk ‘N Text dealt B-MEG Derby Ace a crushing defeat, 89-72, Friday.
SMB coach Ato Agustin and his Beermen likewise advanced to the Finals after beating the Gin Kings, 89-86, in a hard-fought game, Sunday.
For the Tropang Texters, the game appeared close in the early going until Castro got into the groove in the second quarter and sparked a 14-0 run that set up the rout.
Reyes was a true gentleman, magnanimously praising the overmatched Derby Ace Llamados after the beating inflicted by his team.
“It wasn’t as easy as the final score indicated. They got great spirit, great heart. In the end, it was our depth that pulled us through in this series,” said Reyes.
The Tropang Texters have not played in the finals of any conference since winning the Philippine Cup championship in 2008-09.
Meanwhile, the Beermen needed a lift from Arwind Santos who finished with a game-high 25 points to power his team to victory. He joined hands with Jay Washington and Paul Artadi in giving the Beermen the needed push in the endgame.
The playoffs between the two squads was a series of stark contrasts. SMB won four close games over the Kings, including a two-point decision in the series opener and a double overtime win in Game 3. The Gin Kings tallied two blowout victories.
The Beermen were not about to give the Gin Kings even a remote chance for a Game 7 and wrapped up the series in Game 6.
“It’s a great, great team effort. For us, this was Game 7. We were not going to play another game against Ginebra. For us this is our do-or-die,” said Anthony Washington.
The Beermen are gunning for their 19th title in their 32nd finals appearance overall when they battle early qualifier Talk ‘N Text.
The opener of the race-to-four finals is set Saturday in Victorias City, the first time in more than 10 years a championship series game is being played out-of-town.
0 Comments
