Texters, Bolts dispute last semifinal seat

Game today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

7 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines - TNT KaTropa and Meralco brace for another grind-out battle as they slug it out in a do-or-die for the last berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Texters fashioned out a dominant 102-84 win in Game One Monday before the Bolts fought back with a 103-100 overtime triumph in Game Two Wednesday.

They face off in a deciding Game Three at 7 p.m. with the winner completing the semifinal cast with the three SMC teams – Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer and Star.

Either way, it’s going to be an exciting pair of best-of-five semifinals that fire off with Game One of the SMB-Star matchup at 7 p.m. tomorrow also at the Big Dome.

The winner in the TNT-Meralco clash will have one day to prepare for the opener of its semis faceoff with Ginebra Sunday.

 “I expect a dogfight,” said Meralco coach Norman Black of the game where they have a chance to set a rematch of their Governors Cup title showdown with Ginebra.

“I expect my guys to come out and fight like they did (Wednesday). But at the same time, we know the other side is very talented and they can bounce back anytime. We’ve got to be ready,” Black pointed out.

TNT coach Nash Racela said his players must play above the physical demand of the series if they’re to bounce back from their Game Two loss.

“I think we need to be stronger than the hits. There’s a lot of time we got hit that forces us to miss,” said Racela.

The Texters rallied from a couple of 19-point deficits in the first half and charged back from 11 down in the last five minutes but failed to complete what could have been a stirring come-from-behind triumph minus ace forward Ranidel de Ocampo Wednesday.

The longtime Gilas mainstay returns to play today and hopes he can be of help with import Josh Smith, Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, Kelly Williams, Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes and the other TNT core players.

“Ranidel needed to take a rest, but he’s coming back. He’s okay,” said the TNT coach.