MANILA, Philippines — Talk ’N Text leads Air21, 2-0, in their best-of-five semis series in the PBA Commissioner's Cup and needs only to win once to advance to the finals for the second straight time.

But TNT coach Chot Reyes remains concerned that until it’s over, there’s no reason to celebrate or to be confident against Air21.

“They’re a team that thrives on a situation like this,” Reyes said.

They clash at 5 p.m. with Reyes hoping to sustain their comfortble Game 2 win where they led as many as 27 points before settling for a 114-96 win.

Like TNT, Barangay Ginebra also hopes to put the final nail to the coffin of Smart Gilas Pilipinas when they duel at 7:30 p.m.

One reason why Reyes remains wary of the Express is because of Air21’s impressive run of winning do-or-die games this conference.

Bannered by the rejuvenated Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros and Alpha Bangura, the Express have survived four knockout games, two came in the elimination round and two more in the quarterfinals against Alaska.

The two-day rest, according to Reyes, will definitely play a major factor.

We’re sure Air21 will come out with their best game,” Reyes said, who is eyeing to lead Talk ’N Text to its 10th Finals appearance. “We must be prepared to play our best as well especially since we know Air21 is perfect in do-or-die (this conference).”

Needing to win its last two assignments in the eliminations to keep alive its campaign this conference, the Bong Ramos-mentored Air21 won against Powerade (108-98) and Alaska (92-83) that capped a four-game winning streak.

In the quarters, after losing to Alaska in the series-opener of the three-game showdown (89-91), the Express stunned the Aces by winning Game 2 (94-84) and 3 (97-94) to clinch a seat in the Final Four for only the fifth time in team history.

The Air21 coach isn’t losing hope as well, but he knows they have to really work harder against the talented unit of TNT, saying: “Hopefully we can recover. The two-day rest is very important, for us it’s precious.

“We're back to the same situation. Well, who knows? But first we have to bounce back in Game 3,” added Ramos.

A win by both and Ginebra will propel them to the Finals for the first time since their first and only championship series in 2005 Philippine Cup when the Kings downed the then Phone Pals in six games.

The most recent series between the two former rivals was the quarterfinals of the 2009 Fiesta Cup where TNT staged a ‘walkout’ in Game 4 and Ginebra won in five games to advance to the semifinal round versus eventual champion San Miguel Beer.

Ginebra, which won Games 1 (97-96) and 2 (110-103), also hopes to end its own series with Smart-Gilas and move to the title-series for the 19th time and first in two years though coach Jong Uichico knows the Nationals will be tough to eliminate.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin