Texters, Tigers start clash in PBA finals

Friday, January 20, 2012

MANILA—Defending champion Talk ‘N Text and Powerade Tigers start their best-of-seven titular series today in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City.

Both teams, which just came from the rigors of their respective semifinal matches will collide at 6:30 p.m. with neither enjoying a psychological edge.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The Tropang Texters became just the third team after Ginebra and Purefoods to come back from 1-3 deficit to beat their Governor’s Cup tormentor Petron Blaze, 4-3, in the semis. They are also just the first team in 27 years to be able to defend an All-Filipino crown.

Big upset

But the Tigers, seeded only eighth at the end of the elims, defied the odds to oust Rain or Shine in similar fashion, 4-3. They also forged the biggest upset after crushing top seed B-Meg Llamados (2-0) in the quarterfinals.

Talk ‘N Text, which joined the league in 1996 after acquiring the Pepsi Bottlers franchise, is aiming for its fifth championship and a chance to start another grand slam bid, which was spoiled by Petron last year.

Coach Chot Reyes, who is also aiming for his sixth championship titles, will be facing his old team he led to two crowns when he was Coca-Cola coach in 2002, while coach Bo Perasol is on his second finals stint, the first was with Air 21 against Ginebra in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.

“Powerade is close to my heart. But, we could not take this team lightly. We have to be ready, it’s thw Finals already,” said Reyes.

In their two meetings in the elimination round, the Tropang Texters won over Powerade, 95-86, on Nov. 9, but lost their second encounter, 131-96, on Nov. 27.