"Though we lost Game One, I still believe we can beat Talk N Text. Ang kalaban namin ang sarili namin. Once we enter the court, the desire must be there because Talk N Text’s desire is there," said Guiao on the eve of Game Three of the Red Bull-Talk N Text best-of-seven title playoff at the Araneta Coliseum today.
Guiao is wary some of his players might lose focus as in the series opener Friday where Tony Lang was a virtual no-show in their 100-102 defeat.
But Lang has more than made up for that poor showing with a sterling stint in Game Two and vowed to do an even better performance in Game Three.
And that’s bad news for Talk N Text with the team’s biggest problem proving to be how to stop Lang. With last year’s best import in his Sunday’s best, burning the hoops with 37 points, the Thunder took a vengeful 96-86 win that brought the series back to scratch.
To make matters worse for the Phone Pals, the team will be without Vic Pablo as they try to avoid a second straight defeat in the series. Pablo, now nursing an injured tendon on his right knee, is the most experienced Talk N Text local player and among those who alternate on Lang on defense.
Some PBA watchers, however, think Pablo’s absence could be a blessing in disguise as this could give Don Camaso a chance to show his worth and help Talk N Text regain the lead in the series. Camaso tallied nine points on 4-of-4 shooting in a 10-minute action following the ouster of Pablo in the third quarter Sunday.
However, not a few believe the series has become a playoff between the two teams’ imports. And in some extent, coaches of both teams agree.
"So far, imports have been making the difference in the series. Pete Mickeal and Jerald Honeycutt combined for 63 points in Game One and we couldn’t afford them making that. In Game Two, Tony Lang responded to the challenge, carrying us offensively while Julius Nwosu stopped Mickeal," said Guiao.
Guiao said they will come out with the same plan in Game Three. "Successful eh. Doon nanalo, so bakit namin babaguhin?"
Nwosu gained a sort of personal triumph by holding down the prolific Mickeal to only 20 points in Game Two after the Talk N Text import exploded for 31 in Game One.
"Kinayod talaga ni Nwosu at depensa ang naging puhunan namin in Game Two," said Guiao.
In Game One, Mickeal and Honeycutt outscored Lang and Nwosu, 63-36.
For the record, in the last 16 PBA Finals which went one-one after Game Two, six led to a deciding Game Seven.