Talk 'N Text barges into Philippine Cup Finals

Talk ‘N Text barges into Philippine Cup Finals.

by rick olivares

Earlier in the semifinals series for the PBA Season 36 Philippine Cup, Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes remarked that for his side to win, they needed to play hard and hope the B-Meg Derby Llamados miss their shots.

Of course missing is only one factor that Reyes’ team needed to win. In Game Six, mindful that Llamado James Yap was going to get his points, it was TNT’s plan to try and limit Peter June Simon, Jonas Villanueva, and Roger Yap.

Although James Yap finished 16 points and Simon added 15, the latter was far from his Philippine Cup best when he torched teams for 18.2 points per game; fourth best in the league. In all of Talk ‘N Text’s victories in the series, they had managed Simon’s game quite well. In dispatching B-Meg Derby Ace, Simon scored only four points in the final quarter when the game was all but settled.

In the first quarter, it was Harvey Carey and Aaron Aban who carried the fight for Talk ‘N Text. Carey, almost invisible throughout the series after averaging a double double for much of the conference, had seven first quarter points as TNT posted an 18-17 lead at the end of 12 minutes. Aban, while playing in-your-face defense on James Yap, outscored the two-time league MVP 10-9. The Tropang Texters lead 42-35 after 24 minutes of play for a lead they would not relinquish as they added 11 more points in the third quarter to put their foes in a huge rut.

As TNT was able to contain Simon and make Yap bleed for his points, B-Meg had no answers for Jason Castro whose defense, blazing speed, and ability to get inside the lane for layups wreaked havoc on the Llamados’ game. Castro tallied18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. On top of that he was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line as he repeatedly blew by his defenders.

As the second half unfolded, TNT hit B-Meg also from the inside as forward-center Ali Peek routinely beat Marc Pingris and Jondan Salvador for 15 points and seven boards. “Any time you play B-Meg you have to make sure you rebound that basketball,” said Peek after the game. Although Jorge Gallent’s squad won the rebound battle 48-45, Talk ‘N Text still outscored them in second chance points 12-8.

“It wasn’t as easy as the final score as Kelly (Williams) and Jimmy (Alapag) will tell you,” related Reyes who is aiming for his sixth PBA title. “I think it was our depth that overwhelmed them. We focused on defense. While everyone talks about our ability to score but we won by playing defense.”

“It’s gratifying for us to make it back. It’s always a challenge considering the talent level of the league. Para tayong sirang plaka by saying that it is never easy. But that’s the truth. Are we hungry? You heard Jimmy. We remember last conference very well (where they lost to Alaska). But our work isn’t done. We need to win four more games before we can rest.”

Talk ‘N Text 89 – Peek 19, Castro 18, Aban 14 De Ocampo 9, Williams 6, Fonacier 5, Reyes 4, Dillinger 3, Alapag 2, Alvarez 0

B-Meg Derby Ace 72 – Yap James 16, Maierhofer 15, Simon 15, Pingris 10, Yap Roger 6, Salvador 4, Canaleta 4, Villanueva 2, Gaco 0, Allado 0