MANILA---After listening to Jay Washington talk, it now comes as no surprise why he literally tried killing himself in leading San Miguel Beer to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Talk ‘N Text.

“I’ve been waiting for this day,” Washington said when asked what motivation he has in clashing with the team that traded him in 2008 in a best-of-seven series that starts Saturday in Victorias City in Negros.

“I had a rough time starting at Talk ‘N Text,” the 6-foot-7 Washington continued. “I didn’t start my career (the way) I had planned to. The end of my third year (in the PBA and with Talk ‘N Text), I was kind of stuck and joining San Miguel was my saving grace.”

Washington was one of those who worked the hardest in making sure that San Miguel got past Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, even playing 54 minutes in that classic double overtime Game 4 victory.

And he was man enough to let everyone hear that he harbors hard feelings towards his former ballclub.

“I still hold some animosity towards Talk ‘N Text. For me, personally, this is going to be a hard-fought series.”

Chot Reyes, the Talk ‘N Text coach who traded him to the Beermen for draft rights in 2008, took it all in stride and welcomed the sidelight which just adds to a bigger one featuring business moguls and multiple team owners Manny V. Pangilinan of the Tropang Texters and Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel.

“It’s nice that this is brought up. This is a series of motivation,” Reyes said. “Jay has a great motivation to beat us in the series and hopefully, we have the same kind of motivation to beat them.”

Both squads have split 18 total Philippine Cup games since 2006.

In the elimination round, San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text wound up with 11-3 slates, beat quarterfinals foes in a game each and finished off separate Final Four opponents in six games.

Even their coaches share the same birthdates—August 1, 1963, with the difference in their PBA careers lying on Reyes winning titles as a coach in three different teams and Ato Agustin multiple titles—and the 1992 MVP award—as guard for San Miguel.

San Miguel will be looking to win a 19th overall championship, while Talk ‘N Text is eyeing a third all-Filipino crown.

And at the end of the day, this championship could end up proving that either the Beermen made a right decision in taking Washington, or Talk ‘N Text being vindicated in dumping him.

Musong Castillo, Phil. Daily Inquirer