FTW: Texters versus Llamados - The calm before the storm

As Talk 'N Text and B-MEG get a weekend to prepare for their championship series, FTW hosts Mico Halili, Magoo Marjon and Jen Reyes—brother of former UAAP and PBA player Jai Reyes—discuss the keys for either team to win the Commissioner's Cup. The meeting between the two was inevitable, given that their rosters boast of some of the strongest players in the league. "They were the top two teams in elimination. Even in the Philippine Cup, they were the top two teams," said Marjon, who reminded us of how the two were destined to meet last conference, if not for Powerade's upset win over B-MEG that sent them to their storybook finals run. Almost evenly balanced on paper, the two squads may only differ now in fitness. "I'm a little concerned about the injury situation of Talk 'N Text, though because that's not a problem that B-MEG has. Talk 'N Text maya't maya may pilay, may hiwa, may problema, but sanay yan," said Halili. The Tropang Texters are so solid even with manpower issues that this championship series is now their fifth consecutive finals appearance, as they gun for their fourth title, according to Marjon. With a team built with superstars, Halili asked who will carry the team through the seven-game saga. "It's gotta be Denzel Bowles. If you look at the numbers, James Yap, not really having a solid tournament. His numbers are down; Bowles has matured," said Marjon, who reminded us of how the B-MEG import outclassed Ginebra's Jackson Vroman in their semifinals match-up. Reyes, on the other hand, picked sweet-shooting forward Ranidel de Ocampo. "Ranidel! Pagka-sinabi lang ni coach Chot na 'Ranidel, tumira ka na', titira talaga. Everytime gumagawa si Ranidel, mahirap matalo ang Talk 'N Text." And in the issue of who's the tougher defensive team? "I'll go with TNT kasi nandiyan si Ryan Reyes pero meron din ang B-MEG na Marc Pingris. Sa imports, mas nagfofocus si Harvey sa rebounds. You have Jason Castro, si Ranidel kaya makipag-banggaan, you have Harvey Carey and Ali Peek," stressed Reyes. Marjon gives us a different perspective, saying that it's not just a question on who's the tougher team on defense, but who will need to play better defense. "B-MEG will need to play better defense. With Talk 'N Text, even if their defense doesn't work, they can just out-shoot you." Watch the rest of the episode "PBA Finals Preview: BMEG vs TNT" here: