WHEN you have two locked and loaded teams going at it in a best-of-seven championship series, expect fireworks from some of the most talented cagers in the country. From the coaches to the players of both San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text and even Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Chito Salud, everyone agrees that the Philippine Cup finals between powerhouses Talk ‘N Text and San Miguel will be too close to call.
The Texters and the Beermen are the league’s top two teams throughout the conference, finishing no. 1 and no. 2 in the eliminations with identical records. Both squads also possess a complete line-up from top to bottom.
‘’I don’t think we can ask for a better match-up for the finals,’’ said Salud during yesterday’s press conference of the finals at the Gateway Suites in Quezon City. ‘’These teams both have same records, they swept the quarterfinals and finished their opponents in six games in the semifinals, so it is that even.’’
Both coaches also think that it would be a hard-fought series since they are like the mirror images of each other.
’These are two great teams with great coaching staff on both sides trying to knock each other out. The stage is set for my players. They would be substantially challenged in this series. It would be about heart, hunger and harmony. The team who would play better together will get it,’’ said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes, who’s gunning for his sixth title.
‘’Magandang series ito panigurado. Kasi nga talagang pantay ang laban and parehong malakas so dikitan talaga. Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax against Talk ‘N Text,’ said San Miguel coach Ato Agustin, who is in his first finals appearance as a PBA coach right in his first conference.
Even the star players from both sides, likewise, expressed excitement over the series as they expect the finale to be tight as well.
‘’You have two evenly matched teams with the same talent, athleticism and depth. I think there would hardly be blowout wins in this series. It would all boil down to execution,’’ said Talk ‘N Text skipper Jimmy Alapag.
‘’We’re thirsty as hell. We lost to Alaska in the championship last conference. We’ll be all-out in going after the title. We want it really bad,’’ said San Miguel Beer playmaker Alex Cabagnot. ‘’It’s going to be exciting to watch. Two strong and tough teams going head-to-head. It’s a matter of who wants it more.’’
Jeric Lopez, Manila Standard Today
