PBA Finals: Talk ‘N Text flashes deadly form, avoids 0-3 hole

MANILA, Philippines – Talk 'N' Text bounced back from a pair of heart-breaking setbacks with nothing but fire in its eyes and vengeance in its heart, trampling Alaska, 92-73, in Game Three to cut the series deficit at 2-1 in their best of-seven KFC Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup championship showdown Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Pushed against the wall after dropping the first two games of the series and doubting whether it can match up to Alaska’s championship experience, the Tropang Texters simply refused to be blown away and go down 3-0, pulling together a performance that was just too much for the Aces to handle and stayed on track of capturing a second title in a conference without imports. The Tropang Texters ran the open court well, drained three-point shots, and defended as if they were noted for that in dealing Alaska an embarrassing loss after the Aces’ triumph in Game One (102-95) and then in Game Two (100-91) where it outscored Talk ‘N Text 16-2 in the last six minutes. Coming out on top for a third straight time, though, wasn’t meant to be. Talk ‘N Text was just too hot to handle. The team that was projected to have the edge in the championship showdown led by as many as 30 points (75-45) on a basket from Jimmy Alapag with 3:02 left in the third quarter and was really headed for the runaway win. “Finally we hit some shots," said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Even more critical was our defense. We were able to contain (LA) Tenorio, and this is the first time, I think, we held any team under 100 points in the playoffs. All we wanted before the game was to get one and worry about getting another later. I’m very happy we got that one and now we’ll have to figure out how to get that another one Wednesday." Nothing was more reflective of how strong Talk 'N' Text’s defense than when they managed to keep Tenorio back. The former Ateneo ace guard was held scoreless throughout the contest, shooting 0-of-5 from the field. He didn’t even take an attempt the entire second half. The last time Tenorio was held scoreless was Nov. 22 last year in a 92-88 loss to Rain or Shine. Willie Milller, too, was held to only 11 points and was held scoreless in the second half. Mark Cardona finally broke out of a slump and topscored with 23 points, while Jimmy Alapag contributed 15. Jared Dillnger, who contributed nothing on points in Game Two, added 15, while Harvey Carey collected 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. – GMANews.TV