Reyes, Agustin maghahabol sa kasaysayan

MANILA, Philippines - Kung gusto ni Ato Agustin na maging pang walong rookie coach na nagkampeon sa isang PBA confe­rence, pangarap rin ni Chot Reyes na makasama sa kasaysayan ng professional league.

Wala pang PBA coach na nakasikwat ng dalawang kampeonato sa tatlong magkakaibang koponan.

Dalawang korona ang naibigay ni Reyes sa Purefoods at Coca-Cola, samantalang isa naman sa Talk ‘N Text.

“But there’s no greater motivation for me than winning with my players for our organization and ownership. They have given so much and deserve nothing less,” wika ni Reyes.

Magtatagpo ang Talk ‘N Text ni Reyes at ang San Miguel ni Agustin para sa best-of-seven championship series ng 2010-2011 PBA Philippine Cup na magsisimula sa Enero 22, Sabado, sa Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Tinalo ng Tropang Texters ang dating kampeong Derby Ace Llamados, 4-2, habang binigo naman ng Beermen ang Gin Kings, 4-2, sa kani-kanilang best-of-seven semifinals showdown.

Ito ang pang 11th finals appearance ng Talk ‘N Text kumpara sa pang 32nd finals stint ng San Miguel na tumatarget sa kanilang ika-19th PBA crown.

Itatampok sa title wars ng Tropang Texters at Beermen si San Miguel forward Jay Washington na nangga­ling sa Talk ‘N Text.

 “I hold some sort of animosity with Talk ‘N Text. I had a rough time with them. I didn’t start what I’d thought or planned to. I tried to find my way,” ani Washington, dinala ng Tropang Texters sa Beermen matapos ang 2007-08 season. “Then by the end of my third year, I was in a situation that I felt like I stuck. I didn’t fit.”

Ibinigay ng Talk ‘N Text ang 6-foot-7 na si Washington sa San Miguel para makuha ang draft rights kay Jason Castro sa 2008 Rookie Draft.

Dikitang mga laban sa serye ang inaasahan naman ni Tropang Texters’ pointguard Jimmy Alapag.

“I don’t see blowouts. It will definitely come down to execution. It will boil down to who makes the shots in the end,” wika ni Alapag na makakatapat si Fil-Am Alex Cabagnot ng Beermen sa backcourt.

“We’re thirsty as hell as we lost to Alaska in the last final series. We’re going hard as we want it badly,” sabi ni Cabagnot.