Game 5: Battle to the last man

Coach Joel Banal believes his Talk n Text squad possesses a killer instinct that it would not just relent on pounding and pummeling a beleaguered opponent.

Coach Siot Tanquingcen, meanwhile, is convinced his Barangay Ginebra team has a big pride that it would fight hard to avoid further humiliation.

The Phone Pals seek to keep domination while the Kings are out for redemption as the two teams, now squared up with two games apiece, clash in the pivotal Game Five of the Gran Matador PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven title playoff at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Banal and Tanquingcen both believe the 7:10 p.m. contest is the virtual deciding game in the series that they expect their respective teams to come out strong and gut it out to claim the decisive 3-2 lead in the playoff.

And the two teams could really come out strong following a welcome two-day rest after a gripping duel Sunday where the Phone Pals emerged victorious for a second straight game.

Banal expects Tanquingcen to have made the necessary adjustments in their game in the 48-hour break, but the Talk n Text mentor is nonetheless confident they could make it three in a row today.

Incidentally, the Gin Kings have never suffered three straight losses since June last year.

Obviously, the Gin Kings have to find ways to fill in the void left by ace guard Jayjay Heltebrand if they’re to stop their skid and have a good shot at first-ever back-to-back championships for the franchise.

No team has ruled two consecutive tournaments since San Miguel Beer won the 2000 Governors and Commissioner’s Cups.

Actually, the Ginebra backcourt made a good job in Game Four only to be overshadowed once again by Willie Miller and Jimmy Alapag down the stretch.

Mark Caguioa had a career-high 43 points but faltered at endgame, allowing Miller to have the last laugh in their great shootout Sunday.

Curiously, at the half, Caguioa said he’s determined to come up with a good game after being terribly outplayed by Miller in Game Three. It turned out Miller was saving his best for last in Game Four, exploding for 25 of his 29 points in the final half.

Winner of today’s game will have a chance to wrap up the series in Game Six Friday also at the Big Dome.

Originally scheduled at the Astrodome in Pasay City, the change in venue was made after the Araneta management made available its venue to house an even bigger crowd expected in the remaining games of the series.

Tickets reserved and bought in advance for the Astrodome game will be refunded by the league.

Banal believes the winner of Game Five would have a good chance at going all the way to win the championship.

"Knowing both teams, it would be a tough fight to the end. But winner of Game Five would have a big, big edge," said Banal.

Tanquingcen, meanwhile, said: "There would no easy game from now on."