Games Today: (Cuneta Astrodome)

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs. Powerade

7:30 p.m. – Petron vs. Talk ‘N Text

ONE game. They all describe it as the biggest, and it’s not even a championship match.

Defending champion Talk ‘N Text, Petron, Rain or Shine and surprising Powerade see action today to dispute Finals slots in what is expected to be slam-bang Game Seven duels in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Tropang Texters are on the fringes of repeating history as they try to complete an amazing comeback from a 1-3 series deficit, something that the Boosters – as a franchise – have never been dragged to go through since the birth of the league in 1975.

“We just have to do our best to be ready,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “We’re raring to go. We are just blessed we are in this position. The kind of effort we had in Game Six is the kind of effort we need tomorrow (today). I hope we have saved our best for last.”

Seeking to become the first team to repeat as Philippine Cup champion since Great Taste in 1985, Talk ‘N Text stretched the best-of-seven series to the limit after getting an MVP game from Jimmy Alapag, who starred in the team’s 111-108 victory Sunday night. All games in the series have been decided by no more than four points.

That was the kind of game the Texters have always wanted – high-scoring and open-court. Unfortunately, Talk ‘N Text won’t be having a complete roster.

Kelly Williams, who only saw action for four minutes Sunday because of a hamstring injury, isn’t expected to play much again, and Ryan Reyes won’t likely be seeing action for the second straight game after injuring his right wrist.

“We’re taking it as day-to-day,” said Chot Reyes of Williams’ and Ryan Reyes’ condition. “Malabo pa rin si Kelly and Ryan. My worry is that they both want to play but if I force it, their careers might be at risk.”

The Texters were also fortunate not to lose Ali Peek. Peek’s flagrant foul 1 against Joseph Yeo in Game Six was upgraded to a flagrant foul 2 by the PBA yesterday. He was only fined P10,000 without any suspension.

But if there’s any team that got the biggest break, it was Petron.

Alex Cabagnot, from whom the offense of the Boosters start from, escaped suspension when his terrifying flagrant foul 1 against Peek in Game Six was likewise upgraded to a flagrant foul 2. Cabagnot, who missed three attempts and committed a costly turnover in the waning moments of the previous game, was penalized with a P20,000 fine for hitting Peek in the head.

That means that Petron will come out with a solid starting unit as it seeks to frustrate Talk ‘N Text once more after foiling the telecom franchise’s Grand Slam aspirations last season by defeating the Texters in Game Seven of the Governors’ Cup.

The Boosters, though, would like it very much if they can prevent the Texters from dictating the tempo their way.

“We lacked focus especially on defense,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin about Game Six. “Our game is not like that. Our game is more on the low-scoring, defensive style. Hindi dapat uli mangyari ‘yun. We have to work on our mistakes and let’s see what happens tomorrow (today).”

Although not enjoying the same intense attention compared to the TNT-Petron series, the Rain or Shine-Powerade affair has turned into one attractive duel. The Elasto Painters were the ones who extended the showdown into a do-or-die after scoring a 112-98 runaway win in Game Six.

“This is the biggest game for our franchise,” said Painters’ coach Yeng Guiao. “It’s only proper that we give it our biggest effort. The stats and other numbers don’t matter anymore in a Game Seven. It’s pure heart and desire. We have invested so much in this series to let it go any other way but ours.”

Actually, Rain or Shine should have been the first team in the Finals and resting by now. But the Painters allowed the Tigers to steal Games Three and Five, losing identical six-point leads with just under two minutes left to play.

The Painters have never been into the Finals since entering the league in 2006. Their coach, too, has never won a Philippine Cup title.

Powerade, meantime, is looking to move closer to achieving a Cinderella finish. The ball club that has never stepped onto the quarter-finals for the last seven conferences is looking forward to its first championship appearance as an independent franchise since bolting from the San Miguel Group in 2004.

“It’s going to be a game of will,” said Bo Perasol, aiming to notch his second Finals stint. “Whoever fights to win until the end will get the series. Our team intends to do just that.”

Winners in the two semi-finals duel will immediately figure in Game One of the Finals on Friday in Digos, Davao del Sur. Game Two is set on Monday, Jan. 23.