Cone-Reyes coaching battle takes stage in all-Filipino Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska and Talk ‘N Text begin their KFC Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum in a series that promises to bring out the brilliance in coaches Tim Cone and Chot Reyes. It’s a series between two teams that possess different playing styles. Alaska loves to play the half-court and execute its tried and tested Triangle Offense, while Talk ‘N Text simply enjoys the fast-paced, open-court and high-scoring game. “This championships surely will provide different feels for both teams," said Cone, appearing in his 20th Finals since 1989 and eyeing to nail down a 13th regular conference crown. “But we won’t allow ourselves to be dictated by their (Tropang Texters) tempo. And I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t also allow themselves to be dictated by ours." Cone and Reyes are good friends. But their friendship apparently ceases temporarily once the 7:30 p.m. game kicks off, with the Tropang Texters looking more like the fancied ones to win the series simply because of the manner on how they disposed powerhouse San Miguel Beer in the semifinals. Except for Game One, Talk ‘N Text had battled San Miguel to five pulsating games in the semifinals. What’s more astonishing is how it was able to beat the Beermen without the De Ocampo brothers – Yancy and Ranidel – in Game Six last Sunday, 116-115, in a match then went into overtime. “That’s how deep they are," said Cone. Ranidel de Ocampo won’t suit up for Wednesday’s series opener. He will serve his one game suspension for his flagrant foul penalty two he committed against Lordy Tugade last Sunday. Fresh from a series where it dethroned last year’s champions Sta. Lucia, also in six games, Alaska realizes that Talk ‘N Text has too much firepower at hand to overcome Ranidel de Ocamppo’s absence. The Tropang Texters already showed it against the Beermen, and there’s no reason why they can’t do it again. “There’s no doubt that Talk ‘N Text is not stronger without Ranidel," said Cone. “But that’s not a guarantee that we already have a huge advantage. They just have too many weapons." “Ranidel is a huge part of our team. But we’ve shown, that minus him, we can find a way to win. It’s the Finals and we’ll go hammer and thongs to win," said Reyes. – GMANews.TV