Redemption vs rebirth: Duel pits league best hounded by failed bids, title drought

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA Philippine Cup couldn’t have a better finish than a finale pitting San Miguel Beer and Talk n Text, easily the most talented teams in the league today.

This is a dream championship between two powerhouse teams arranging an anticipated title showdown after turning in similar dominating runs in the elims and identical 4-2 conquests of their respective rivals in the Final Four.

Talk n Text dethroned title-holder B-MEG Derby Ace while San Miguel Beer eased out crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the semis.

Both toted 15-5 (win-loss) as they set out for the Last Dance starting Saturday at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center in Victorias, Negros Occidental.

It could well be an epic war.

For one, it is a fight for pride and bragging rights for tycoons Ramon Ang and Manny Pangilinan.

San Miguel and Talk n Text, considered flagship teams of SMC and the PLDT Group, respectively, meet in a titular showdown only for the second time after their title clash in the 2004-05 Fiesta Conference.

The Tropang Texters hope to redeem themselves from sorry setbacks in the last two conferences while the Beermen look to end a 10-year title drought in the all-Filipino conference.

All indications point to a battle that could go either way.

“Tough call, both teams have to work hard to win the championship,” said San Miguel coach Ato Agustin.

“It’s a very interesting series. It’s a showcase of two teams with the strongest and deepest lineups in the league. Off-hand, I think it’s going to boil down to who gets hot at the right time,” said Talk n Text mentor Chot Reyes.

San Miguel looks to have the better personnel in the frontcourt with Jay Washington, Arwind Santos, Dorian Pena, Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle and Mick Pennisi but Talk n Text appears to be stronger at the backcourt with Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Jason Castro and Larry Fonacier.

Overall, the Beermen look to have more firepower, but the Texters could equalize with their fearsome pressing defense.

“I really see it as an even match. One has its advantages over the other but I think everything will be neutralized, and in the end players would win it,” said Reyes.

“Hunger will be a big factor. San Miguel is hungry because it has never won the all-Filipino championship for a long time. But we ourselves are hungry because we’re deprived of a shot at the title last year,” Reyes also said.

“I will submit they will have the advantage in crowd. But we’re used to that. We’ll even use that as our motivator,” Reyes added.

The series also features a veteran bench tactician taking on a rookie roach.

But Reyes doesn’t think he has the advantage over Agustin.

“Maybe, I have the edge in experience but he has his unpredictability. We’ve seen him beating the veteran pairs of Jong Uichico and Siot Tanquingcen,” said Reyes.

The two teams split their two matches in the elims with the Texters emerging victorious, 97-83, in the first match and the Beermen getting even, 93-88, in the next.