MANILA, Philippines — If Talk ’N Text head coach Chot Reyes had his way, he would like to face defending champion B-Meg Derby Ace on Wednesday rather than wait for another week. The Tropang Texters beat the Llamados Sunday, 98-91, in Game 1 of their semis series, and with momentum on their side, Reyes would love to play Game 2 immediately.
In observance of the holiday season, however, PBA takes a one-week break and will resume on Jan. 5 at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We love to play on Wednesday (Dec. 26). We’d rather not have this long break,” Reyes said after drawing first blood in their best-of-seven series in Antipolo City.
“But it is what it is. It’s up for us now to make sure we stay sharp,” said Reyes, noting that he will give his players time to rest.
Veteran guard Jimmy Alapag, who will be 33 on Thursday, led TNT with 20 points, including a big four-point play that gave them a 94-87 lead with 2:07 left in the game.
The Tropang Texters took advantage of the absence of B-Meg veteran point guard Roger Yap, who missed Game 1 due to an injured right foot.
Aside from the rust factor, the long vacation will also benefit the Llamados as the 6-foot Yap will have time to recover, together with power forward Rafi Reavis, who is recovering from a hand surgery.
“The longer the series goes the better chances for their injured players to comeback,” Reyes said.
The TNT coach expects the B-Meg of coach George Gallent to make necessary adjustments and start strong in Game 2, saying: “It’s the playoffs, they are the defending champion. They have so much pride so we expect them to fight back.”
The Llamados trailed by 19 points in the third quarter, but rallied behind reigning MVP James Yap, who had a personal conference-high 36 points on 11-of 22 shooting from the field and 10-of-14 from the foul line.
The other Final Four series pitting San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra will start also on Jan. 5.
The Beermen will enter the showdown well-prepared after beating Rain or Shine in the playoffs (97-75) last Dec. 19, while the Kings edged Fiesta Cup champion Alaska Aces in their own quarters series with a victory in Game 3 (79-70).
The long break will also benefit Ginebra, which hopes to have forward Eric Menk back after missing the quarterfinals because of a strained achilles.
Jayjay Helterbrand also missed two games in the playoffs with a strained ankle but played in Game 3.
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
