Game Today: (Araneta Coliseum)

6:45 p.m. – Talk ‘N Text vs. Powerade


POWERADE learned the other night that it would take more than the return of JV Casio and a 30-point game from Gary David in order to beat Talk ‘N Text. Much more.

For the second straight game, the Tigers were bludgeoned in points from players coming off the bench. They also witnessed what championship experience was all about, something that the Tropang Texters have by a wide margin.

Talk ‘N Text tonight shoots for a 3-0 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals no ball club in the entire history of the league has ever overhauled. If the Texters do win, it’s virtually game over for Powerade.

So much for the Cinderella story.

Head coach Chot Reyes had 2-0 leads in a championship series twice before, going 1-1 (win-loss). Ironically, Reyes was with Coca-Cola, Powerade’s former name, when he built a 2-0 edge against Talk ‘N Text in the 2003 Philippine Cup before losing the next four games.

He also erected a 2-0 edge over San Miguel Beer (now Petron) in last season’s Philippine Cup before allowing the opposing team to tie the series. That, however, had a different result after the Texters won the next two outings.

Reyes said that they are now getting ready for the biggest fight-back from Powerade, which has not lost back-to-back games in the playoffs until Talk ‘N Text won the first two games of the championships.

“The best thing we can do now is be prepared for Powerade’s mightiest comeback,” Reyes said. “This series isn’t over until we win four games. All we did in Game Two was move closer to our ultimate objective.”

Indeed, the Texters two wins away from history. No franchise has won back-to-back Philippine Cup championships since Great Taste in 1985, and signs are clear that the Tigers have no chance at turning this series around.

Once more, Talk ‘N Text’s depth was the key factor in Game Two just like in Game One. It had a 59-18 advantage in points off the bench after a 67-14 edge in Game One, making that a whopping 126-32 margin in the two games combined.

Jayson Castro alone outscored the entire bench of Powerade in the two games. He had 23 in Game One and 19 in Game Two.

But while Powerade might be facing a tall order, coach Bo Perasol’s confidence isn’t fading.

“We are always going to be hopeful regarding our chances,” he said.

“We, however, need to get one win first. Our team is definitely not disheartened by the 0-2 deficit. We played better in the second game.”

Not point in arguing that, but the Tigers still ended up at the losing end despite David, after only scoring 19 in Game One, bouncing back with 30 points and Casio, who missed Game One because of a hamstring injury, contributing 17.

Powerade, too, was exposed as a team groping for shots when crunch time creeps in. It was down by only 94-93 but just couldn’t seize the lead back.

Talk ‘N Text, on the other hand, was steady as ice. Larry Fonacier, recovering a loose ball after a broken play, connected on a lay-up, Jimmy Alapag knocked in a cold-blooded three-point shot, and Ryan Reyes had a steal and scooted home free for two points to seal the outcome.

The Tigers likewise have to take rebounding more seriously. They were out-rebounded by the Texters 56-42 in Game Two after giving up 18 rebounds in the second half, 31-13.

“We will continue to fight no matter what the result of Game Three is,” Perasol said.

Talk ‘N Text is eyeing to win its fifth championship with Reyes seeking to nail down his eight title.

Perasol, on the other hand, is trying to reward Powerade its third crown. Perasol has never won a PBA title.

In a related development, Commissioner Chito Salud yesterday approved the trade involving Barako Bull’s Paul Artadi and Chico Lanete of Meralco. The deal reunites Artadi with his former coach at B-Meg, Ryan Gregorio.