Para sa PBA Philippine Cup championship series: Painters dehado sa Texters

MANILA, Philippines - Ang nagdedepensang Talk ‘N Text ay isang of­fen­sive team na kayang-ka­yang maglaro ng depen­sa, habang ang Rain or Shine ay isang defensive squad na mabigat din ang opensa.

Ayon kay Tropang Tex­ters head coach Norman Black, magkaiba sila ng klase ng paglalaro ng Elas­to Painters ni mentor Yeng Guiao.

“We’re the No. 1 offensive team in the league and they’re probably the best defensive team. They’re good in offensive rebounds but we don’t give much. They’re good in stealing the basketball but we don’t commit much error either,” sabi ni Black kahapon sa ka­nilang press conference sa Gateway Suites sa Araneta Center para sa 2012-2013 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series na magsisimula bu­kas sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ganito rin ang pahayag ni Guiao.

“Talk ‘N Text is a great of­fensive team that can play defense. And I feel our team is a great defensive team that can play offense,” ani Guiao. “So it’s really an in­teresting match up.”

Tinalo ng Tropang Tex­ters ang Alaska Aces, 4-2, sa kanilang best-of-seven se­mifinals series, saman­ta­lang sinibak ng Elasto Pain­ters ang San Mig Coffee Mixers, 4-2, para itakda ang kanilang titular showdown.

Ito ang pang anim na finals appearance ng Talk ‘N Text sa huling walong conferences at nasa kanilang ika­lawang sunod na finals stint naman ang Rain or Shine sapul nang mag­kam­peon sa 2012 PBA Go­vernors Cup.

Nagkaharap na sa isang championship series si­na Black at Guiao.

Ito ay nang igiya ni Black ang San Miguel Beer sa 4-1 paggupo sa Swift ni Guiao para sa korona ng 1993 PBA Go­vernors Cup.

Sa kanilang pangalawang pagtatagpo sa PBA Fi­nals, sinabi ni Guiao na un­derdog ang kanyang Elasto Painters laban sa Tro­pang Texters ni Black.

“We knew we’re the un­derdogs against Ginebra (sa quarterfinals) and we know we’re not favored against San Mig Coffee (sa semifinals). Much more we’re the underdogs against Talk ‘N Text but we like that,” sabi ni Guiao, asam ang kanyang kauna-una­hang All-Filipino Cup title matapos magwagi ng anim na korona sa mga import-flavored conferences.

Ikinasuya naman ni Black ang pagturing ni Guiao sa kanyang Rain or Shine bilang underdog sa ka­nilang ser­ye.

“Who decides that on who are the underdogs? If we’re the favorites, so be it. We still have to beat them,” sa­got ni Black kay Guiao.

Bukod kina Black at Guiao, dumalo din sa press con­ference sina Ranidel De Ocampo, Jared Dil­linger, Ali Peek at Harvey Ca­rey ng Talk ‘N Text at si­na Chris Tiu, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood at Beau Belga ng Rain or Shine.