PBA: Family atmosphere, continuity, keys to Rain or Shine and Talk 'N Text's success

In the PBA, familiarity breeds winning.

This was the conclusion the FTW crew of Mico Halili, Jason Webb, Richard Del Rosario, Magoo Marjon and Doug Kramer arrived at, when ask to ponder how the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters came to clash head-on in this season's Philippine Cup Finals match-up.

The Texters are perennial championship round fixtures, and are winners of three of the last four Philippine Cup titles, including the last two. The Elasto Painters on the other hand, are in the Finals for a second straight conference, after claiming the 2012 Governors Cup title.



"They seem to like each other," Jason said of the Rain or Shine players, a point Magoo built on by adding, "They actually like each other. They really know how to bring out the best in each other [because] walang superstar. Everyone fills a role."

Doug Kramer, himself formerly of Rain or Shine, recounted a story in which Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao told the the team, "Konting touches ngalang ang kulang and it will be a championship contender." A year and a half later, they went and made good on the mentor's words.

With everyone willing to take the open shot, and ready to step up if needed, it's no wonder why Richard Del Rosario, assistant head coach of the San Mig Coffee Mixers, the team RoS dispatched to reach the Finals, said, "Very tough sila kasi mas marami silang weapons."



The panel had similar reasons for Talk 'N Text's continued success, with Doug saying, "Like Rain or Shine, they rarely trade. They rarely make big adjustments to their players. They're always intact. You see that bond they have as a team."

Still, things were trickier for TNT, according to Jason, who pointed out, "To have a new coach [Norman Black] and a new system, to come in and have the same success, you have to give it to the players, coach Norman and the management."

It also helps, as Magoo pointed out, that the team stays ground, genuinely believing in the mantra, "Stay humble, stay hungry."

Now however, these two teams clash in the Finals with only one side able to leave victorious. Will it be the more experienced, veteran TNT team? Or the younger, more athletic ROS squad? The series will continue to unfold, starting Friday at 6:45pm, at the SM MOA Arena. - AMD, GMA News