Talk 'N Text completes rare comeback against rival Petron

(Updated 10:39 p.m.) Talk 'N Text finally had its payback against Petron Wednesday night at the Astrodome as the Tropang Texters edged out the Boosters in a thrilling Game Seven in the PBA Philippine Cup, 92-91. The Texters arranged an unlikely Finals showdown with upset-conscious Powerade Tigers beginning this Friday in Digos, Davao del Sur.

The victory ended the best-of-seven semifinals series in Talk 'N Text's favor, 4-3, as it completed an incredible comeback from a 3-1 deficit to become only the third team in the league's 37-year history to achieve the rare feat.  

The Tropang Texters likewise avenged their heartbreaking Governors Cup loss to the Boosters, the same team that denied the telecommunications franchise of a Triple Crown last season. "Give us a couple of hours first to savor this victory, and then a few hours from now or maybe tomorrow (Thursday), we'll start looking at Powerade," said winning coach Chot Reyes. "Give us a couple of hours first to savor this fantastic comeback."

Jason Castro paced the defending champions with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting. His two free throws with a minute remaining in the tightly-fought game gave Talk 'N Text a 92-87 lead.

"Masaya lalo na at nasa Finals kami ng All-Filipino. At least, nakabawi na kami sa kanila," said Castro moments after the Tropang Texters, who remained on track of becoming the first team to win back-to-back All-Filipino titles, eliminated their bitter rival.

The Boosters, who led the entire first half, threatened to within 92-91 on rookie Chris Lutz's two free throws with 43 seconds to go.

They even had a chance to regain the lead after Jimmy Alapag was forced by Petron's defense to go for a long three as the shot clock was winding down in Talk 'N Text's possession.

But Danny Ildefonso missed an open three-pointer at the corner, before Arwind Santos forced a jumpball with Ryan Reyes. The Talk 'N Text guard, playing through a wrist injury, won the tap as Kelly Williams got the ball and called a timeout.

The Petron defense forced Talk 'N Text to turn the ball over giving the Boosters 1.2 seconds to attempt a game-winning shot. Without a timeout, though, Alex Cabagnot was forced to put up a long three-pointer that was way off the mark at the buzzer.

Reyes repeatedly raised both arms in triumph when it was over, and faced the gallery where team owner Manny V. Pangilinan was seated before proceeding to the hallway of the jampacked Astrodome.

"Powerade is going to be a tough, tough, tough opponent. They said it would be easy for Rain or Shine, it would be easy for B-MEG. But look what happened,” said Reyes.

"Powerade has a special place in my heart because I was the last man to coach it to the championship,” said Reyes of his 2003 championship with Powerade, then known as Coca-Cola, which beat San Miguel in seven games of the Reinforced Conference.

Lutz had a game-high of 23 points in Petron's losing cause. — JVP/KG, GMA News