‘Run-and-gun’ title duel begins

The long wait is over.

The curtains finally go up for the Samsung PBA Governors Finals today, promising a highly charged, fast-paced and intense action as well-rested – and battle ready – Red Bull and Talk N Text clash in Game One in their best-of-seven showdown at the Astrodome.

Forget which is the favorite, the underdog.

The Thunder and the Phone Pals are likely to rumble in their 7:30 p.m. tiff; the showdown expected to be fierce and gut-wrenching with the two teams engaging in run-and-gun duel.

Both are setting out highly motivated although Talk N Text was reportedly having internal problems on the eve of the series.

Talk N Text board representative Iggy Yenko and alternate board representative Debbie Tan were reportedly set to send separate communications to the PBA Commissioner’s Office yesterday afternoon, informing the board of their resignation. Many were intrigued of the development at a time when the team was to play its first finals in a long, long while.

Another negative note that came Talk N Text’s way in the run-up to the finals was Jerald Honeycutt being assessed another P20,000 fine Wednesday for throwing his armband to referee Boy Cruz in protesting a call in Game Four of their semifinals playoff versus the Alaska Aces last Friday. Honeycutt was also fined P20,000 earlier for attacking the referees at mid-court moments after the final buzzer in Game Three.

The Thunder, on the other hand, attended a thanksgiving mass at the Green Meadow’s Christ the King Chapel at noon before having a late lunch among team officials and their families.

The management promised a holiday trip to the United States in January if the Thunder successfully defend their crown.

Meanwhile, Phone Pal import Pete Mickeal dismissed all the media hype pointing to Red Bull as the overwhelming favorite and said he has what it takes to beat the Thunder.

"I’m the best and no one can stop me," said Mickeal.

But Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao thinks they can cover not only Mickeal but the whole Talk N Text team.

"From day one, we’ve been the best defensive team in the league and we’re proud of that," said Guiao, who is looking for a fourth title in the league. "Julius (Nwosu) has told Tony (Lang) to concentrate on scoring. And Julius said if there are leftovers, he’ll take care of it."

Making his debut in the league, Mickeal did explode versus the Thunder in their first meeting last July 28 but Red Bull, nonetheless, dominated the game and went on to score an emphatic 92-80 win.

Red Bull also outperformed Talk N Text all conference-long that even the statistics suggest the Thunder are the right pick in the series.