Yap, nursing a sore foot, was badly missed in the series opener which Talk ‘N’ Text won, 98-91, last Dec. 26. Without Yap defending Jimmy Alapag, the Mighty Mouse delivered 20 points, three rebounds and eight assists. Yap’s absence was evident as the Llamados compiled only eight assists to the Tropa’s 20.

“I’m sure he’ll play,” said Reyes. “No adjustments (if he plays) as we were prepared for him to play in Game 1. It just means more bruises for Jimmy.”

Jonas Villanueva and Chris Timberlake alternated to pick up Yap’s minutes but neither made a major impact. Villanueva was 1-of-7 from the floor and fouled out in 31 minutes while Timberlake went 3-of-7 without an assist and collected five personals in 18 minutes.

Gallent said lanky center Rafi Reavis, recovering from a fractured finger, isn’t ready to play. However, there’s talk that he may be able to come back in the late games of the semis. Reavis hasn’t suited up at all this season.

B-Meg is one of only three teams to upend Talk ‘N’ Text in the conference. The others are Rain Or Shine (95-93 last Oct. 21) and San Miguel Beer (93-88 last Nov. 17 with Reyes absent to serve in coach Rajko Toroman’s staff at the Asian Games).

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Last Nov. 5, the Llamados tripped the Texters, 104-97, as James Yap and P. J. Simon combined for 47 points. Roger had eight points, five rebounds and five assists in 33 solid minutes. Alapag got away with 18 points but contributed only three assists. B-Meg did a lot of damage from long range as James and Simon knocked down seven treys together. Simon hit 4-of-4 triples.

Gallent’s starting five consisted of the two Yaps, Simon, Don Allado at center and Jondan Salvador at power forward. The Texters’ first five was made up of Ali Peek at center, Kelly Williams at power forward, Jared Dillinger at small forward, Alapag and off-guard Ryan Reyes. B-Meg had more rebounds, 46-43, and second chance points, 10-7. Even as the Tropa converted eight more free throws, the Texters couldn’t capitalize with the Llamados burying 10 triples to their five.

Reyes reworked his starting unit for Game l of the semis. This time, he shifted Williams to center and brought in Harvey Carey to start at the four spot with Peek off the bench. Gallent moved up Salvador to center, brought in Marc Pingris to start at power forward, kept James and Simon and tapped Villanueva to take over from Roger at point guard.

Without Roger, B-Meg had difficulty moving the ball around. Talk ‘N’ Text took advantage of the situation by scoring 26 turnover points to B-Meg’s 12. Ranidel de Ocampo’s re-emergence was a huge factor for Reyes as he hit 4-of-4 triples, virtually unmolested taking shots from the outside. Aaron Aban soaked up minutes defending James, leaving out Larry Fonacier who went 0-of-5 from the floor. Fonacier had significant stats in the Texters’ previous game against B-Meg with nine points, five rebounds and eight assists. But with De Ocampo playing small forward and Dillinger and Aban the logical defenders for James, Fonacier must earn his minutes elsewhere.

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Control of the boards is critical in the series and the battle in the interior will be extremely physical with Williams, Carey and Peek confronting Salvador, Pingris, Jerwin Gaco and Allado. How Nino Canaleta and Rico Maierhofer figure in the race for authority is Gallent’s challenge. Canaleta rarely plays four and is a finesse player like Maierhofer but if somehow, they’re able to use their athleticism in outhustling the Talk ‘N’ Text bruisers, it’ll be a big bonus for B-Meg.

Defense is B-Meg’s key to victory. Field goal percentage is directly related to assists and Talk ‘N’ Text was more accurate from the floor in Game 1 with 12 more dishes. To win Game 2, the Llamados must do a more serious job of cutting the passing lanes and forcing poor shots. Roger will play a big role in making this happen – if he plays. The second unit must also be more productive than the Texters’ relievers who tallied 41 points to B-Meg’s 30 in Game 1. B-Meg has a tendency to get into early foul trouble because of its defensive orientation – that means the shock troopers must be ready to step up when the starters cool their heels.

For Talk ‘N’ Text, Alapag is the engine that keeps the team humming – which is why Roger is so important to B-Meg as its primary defender. But Alapag’s got to have the ball to make adifference. Roger’s gambit is denial. The Tropa’s rebounders must be focused to pitch the ball to Alapag at every opportunity. If B-Meg’s battlecry is defense, Talk ‘N’ Text’s is offense.

The pressure is on B-Meg to even the series in Game 2.

Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star