MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra go for a pair of sweeps against Air21 and Smart Gilas, respectively, today to seal a dream title showdown that will rise on Easter Sunday.
The Texters and the Kings try to finish off their rivals in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals matchups at the Araneta Coliseum before the league takes a Holy Week break and a time for PBA diehards to reflect on the thrills of a blockbuster match-up.
The Texters and the Kings are determined to close out the series and pursue what they set out for at the start of the tournament – back-to-back championships for Talk n Text and a first crown in three years for Ginebra.
They now look poised for a repeat of their championship duel in the 2004-05 Philippine Cup.
“We have to stay committed to our game. That’s most important,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
The Kings are in for a tougher battle against the fancied Marcus Douthit-led Smart Gilas team reeling from two shattering losses and aching to come back into the series.
“It’s always a grind when you’re up against this team. You have to give up so many things for a chance to beat them,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
The Nationals, hurting and all, are definitely not giving up.
“Our performance in the first two games of the semis was way below the level of our showing earlier. We’ve made adjustments which we hope work,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.
The Serbian mentor also said Mark Barroca and Marcio Lassiter have been cleared to play in their 7:30 p.m. match with the Kings.
The Express are also not about to give up against a team they haven’t beaten in three years.
“They’re really strong. They’re really a champion team. We need to bring our A-plus game to have a chance to upset them,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.
Talk n Text has been unbeaten since losing its tournament debut versus Smart Gilas. It has won 24 of its 29 games in the season, walloping Air21 by an average of 12.5 points in the first two games of the semis.
Ramos is hoping the two-day rest enables his players to catch a second wind and make another run in the tourney.
The Express, who have survived do-or-die games in the eliminations and in the quarterfinals, are in the same situation again.
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