Game 1: Talk ‘N Text, 87-81
Game 2: Talk ‘N Text, 89-81
Laro Ngayon
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
6 p.m. Rain or Shine vs. Talk ‘N Text (Game 3)
MANILA, Philippines - Ang matayog na 3-0 bentahe sa kanilang chamÂpionship series ang siyang pakay ng Tropang Texters sa pakikipagsalpukan sa Elasto Painters.
Magtatapat ang nagdedepensang Talk ‘N Text at ang Rain or Shine sa Game Three ngayong alas-6 ng gabi sa kanilang best-of-seven titular showdown paÂra sa 2012-2013 PBA PhilÂippine Cup sa Smart AraÂneta Coliseum.
Sa kabila ng kanilang maÂlaking 2-0 kalamangan, sinabi ni Tropang Texters’ head coach Norman Black na hindi ito nangangahulugan na tinalo na nila sa serÂye ang Elasto Painters ni mentor Yeng Guiao.
“We are up 2-0 but as far as I’m concerned it takes four wins to win a chamÂpionship,†wika ni Black.
Tinalo ng Talk ‘N Text, asam ang kanilang ikatlong suÂnod na Philippine Cup crown, ang Rain or Shine sa Game One, 87-81, at Game Two, 89-81.
Sa naturang tagumpay sa Game Two noong Biyernes, tumipa si 6-foot-6 cenÂter Ranidel De Ocampo ng game-high 24 points kaÂsunod ang 21 ni Jayson Castro at 12 ni Kelly Williams.
“Ranidel is our best post-up player and best three-point shooter. He’s one of our best big men along with Kelly Williams. He’s been doing it the entire year,†ani Black kay De OcamÂpo. “And that’s not only in his performance on the court but also in his leaÂdership in the team.â€
Inamin naman ni Guiao na masama ang kanilang fieldÂgoal shooting sa nakaÂraang dalawang laro.
“We’re still sturggling with our shooting percenÂtages,†wika ni Guiao. “ShooÂting-wise, we can’t get any shooting rythm going.â€
Ayon kay Guiao, hindi sila nawawalan ng pag-asa na makakatabla sa serye at posibleng makamit ang kanilang ikalawang sunod na PBA crown matapos magÂkampeon sa nakaraang Governors Cup.
“We’re not losing any hope. 0-2 is still managable. If we don’t win on Sunday it’s lights out for us,†ani Guiao. “We are not going to give up this series just like that.â€
Nawala din sa mga ElasÂto Painters ang kaÂnilang kumÂÂpiyansa.
“It’s just a matter of gaining back our confidence offensively. Aside from that if we’ll be abe to get back on Sunday it wil still be a nice series going on,†sabi ni Guiao.