TNT goes for sweep

Thursday, January 26, 2012

MANILA—Defending champion Talk ‘N Text, armed with a 3-0 lead, will gun for a sweep of the finals in the All-Filipino Cup in Game 4 against the Powerade Tigers tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters leaned on Ranidel de Ocampo’s surge in the overtime period to beat the Tigers, 133-126, and move just a win away from becoming the first team in 27 years to retain an All-Filipino crown.

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They are aiming for their fifth title since joining the league in 1990 and a chance to renew their bid for a Grand Slam, which was foiled by Petron Blaze last year.

On the other hand, Coach Bo Perasol’s Tigers are now facing a gargantuan task of recovering from a 0-3 deficit in the best-of-seven finals, and no team in league history has ever done that.

Miracle

“We are hungrier for the crown and we want it more,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes, who is eyeing his eighth championship title as a coach.

But for coach Perasol, the Tigers will not yield but will be back in Game 4 fighting.

“I know Gary (David) is already very tired. But it’s not over yet. I’m not hoping for a miracle to reverse a 0-3 deficit, however, as long as we still have the chance we will go for it,” said Perasol.

The 6’1” David, a 20th overall pick by Coca-Cola in 2004, finished with 36 points in Game 3, his 13th time to score 30 points or more in the playoffs.

Despite a grueling battle against Petron in the semis which lasted the full distance, 4-3, Talk ‘N Text opened the Finals series with a 116-100 rout over the Tigers in Digos City, and followed it up with a 102-96 win in Game 2 courtesy of Jimmy Alapag’s 23 points.