MANILA, Philippines -- TALK ‘N TEXT battles Barangay Ginebra on Friday, gunning for a 2-0 lead but expecting a tougher encounter in their best-of-seven title playoffs for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters dominated the Kings in the second half of Game 1 on Wednesday and will carry the momentum of that impressive victory in their 7 p.m. duel.
“All we did was we landed the first punch,” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes said after the game as he tried to dismiss their dominance during the customary winning coach’s interview. “We have to prepare for their counter (punch). That’s how it is in every series."
“The final score did not indicate how hard the game was,” added Reyes, who has been eyeing a second straight title for the Smart-PLDT franchise. “It was a huge struggle. Our defensive effort in the third quarter was the key.”
Talk ‘N Text led by as many as 25 points on the way to a lopsided 102-83 Game 1 win, despite not taking very good care of the ball.
The Texters actually had 21 turnovers, but their defense managed to hold off the Kings. Ginebra scored just 12 points off Talk ‘N Text errors while the Texters netted 21 from 17 miscues by the Kings.
“We need to prepare even harder, and play even better,” Reyes said.
Jong Uichico, the soft-spoken Ginebra mentor with numerous championships in his belt, knows that he has to squeeze the best out of his rotation for the Kings to have a chance.
Import Nate Brumfield was the missing link for Ginebra two nights ago.
After coming into the game with a 28.8-point average, Brumfield—who also owns the season-high of 45 points—was held to just 10, including 3-of-12 from the field as he found no moving room every time he tried to take it hard inside.
And Uichico knows that he cannot win this series against the Texters if Brumfield doesn’t contribute—and contribute heavily.
“Obviously, they (Texters) did their homework in stopping Nate,” Uichico said. “We will watch the tape and come up with the adjustment. We just simply have to play better.”
Ginebra did a good job on Jimmy Alapag, though, holding Talk ‘N Text’s starting guard to just three points and five assists in 25 minutes.
Mark Caguioa, Willie Miller and Ronald Tubid will continue to be vital elements in Ginebra’s offense.
Talk ‘N Text is looking to win this tournament, the second jewel in its first bid at a Grand Slam, a feat achieved just four times before in the league’s 35 years. Crispa completed two, while San Miguel Beer and Alaska have one each.
The Tropang Texters dominated the Kings in the second half of Game 1 on Wednesday and will carry the momentum of that impressive victory in their 7 p.m. duel.
“All we did was we landed the first punch,” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes said after the game as he tried to dismiss their dominance during the customary winning coach’s interview. “We have to prepare for their counter (punch). That’s how it is in every series."
“The final score did not indicate how hard the game was,” added Reyes, who has been eyeing a second straight title for the Smart-PLDT franchise. “It was a huge struggle. Our defensive effort in the third quarter was the key.”
Talk ‘N Text led by as many as 25 points on the way to a lopsided 102-83 Game 1 win, despite not taking very good care of the ball.
The Texters actually had 21 turnovers, but their defense managed to hold off the Kings. Ginebra scored just 12 points off Talk ‘N Text errors while the Texters netted 21 from 17 miscues by the Kings.
“We need to prepare even harder, and play even better,” Reyes said.
Jong Uichico, the soft-spoken Ginebra mentor with numerous championships in his belt, knows that he has to squeeze the best out of his rotation for the Kings to have a chance.
Import Nate Brumfield was the missing link for Ginebra two nights ago.
After coming into the game with a 28.8-point average, Brumfield—who also owns the season-high of 45 points—was held to just 10, including 3-of-12 from the field as he found no moving room every time he tried to take it hard inside.
And Uichico knows that he cannot win this series against the Texters if Brumfield doesn’t contribute—and contribute heavily.
“Obviously, they (Texters) did their homework in stopping Nate,” Uichico said. “We will watch the tape and come up with the adjustment. We just simply have to play better.”
Ginebra did a good job on Jimmy Alapag, though, holding Talk ‘N Text’s starting guard to just three points and five assists in 25 minutes.
Mark Caguioa, Willie Miller and Ronald Tubid will continue to be vital elements in Ginebra’s offense.
Talk ‘N Text is looking to win this tournament, the second jewel in its first bid at a Grand Slam, a feat achieved just four times before in the league’s 35 years. Crispa completed two, while San Miguel Beer and Alaska have one each.
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