Petron-TNT II: Strategy, preparation to favor squad in 7-game semis

The stage is set for another epic seven-game series between Governors Cup finalists Petron and Talk 'N Text. It's the second part of a brewing rivalry between the Boosters and the Tropang Texters, but this time at stake is a Philippine Cup finals berth. Petron was the team that foiled Talk ‘N Text’s bid of joining Crispa (1976. 1983), San Miguel (1989) and Alaska (1996) in the elite cast of Grand Slam champions in Asia’s first pay-for-play league. Avenging their Governor's Cup loss will be Texters’ motivation when they start their semifinal series against the Boosters on January 5 at the Cuneta Astrodome. The telecommunications franchise holds a 2-0 edge in their head-to-head match-up against the Boosters in the season-opening conference of the PBA's 37th season. Not even a depleted roster did not stopped Talk 'N Text from scoring a one-sided 96-86 win on October 28 and the Texters completed the two-game sweep with the help of big man Japeth Aguilar, who made the game-winning play in a thrilling 80-78 triumph on December 6. Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes said losing Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro in the second of their final elimination round game against Petron showed the Texters character. "We showed how big our heart is. We were playing minus five mainstays. But in the end, it was all about guts," said Reyes.

That same character, not to mention Castro, kept No. 2 Talk 'N Text out of trouble against the seventh-ranked Barako Bull in the quarterfinals as the Texters hammered out an 81-79 decision in their quarterfinal match. "It was important for us to win (our quarterfinal match) since we needed the long rest," said Reyes. "Getting that long rest was our motivation. Fortunately, we got it." And Talk 'N Text is hoping the three-week-long break could favor them as they seek revenge against the team that foiled its Grand Slam bid in last season’s third conference. Petron coach Ato Agustin is again thinking that his Boosters are the underdog in the series owing to the two losses they suffered against the Texters. "Our big men needs to double up their efforts and we need to work extra hard on our transition defense since they are a running team. Those are the things that we are going to prepare for," said Agustin, who is fresh from beating Meralco in a best-of-three affair in the quarterfinals (91-84 and 80-64). — JVP/TJD, GMA News