Aces seek pivotal win; Texters to halt it

Alaska Milk hopes to re-establish control while Talk n Text tries to ride the momentum of its big win the last time out as they clash in what could be the most crucial game in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven showdown today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The RP Smart Gilas team, under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, will be seen in action for the first time as it slugs it out with Burger King (formerly Air21) in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser.

The Aces and the Texters collide in Game Four at 7:30 p.m. with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney making the ceremonial toss.

The Best Player of the Conference will be named in between games, with Alaska’s Willie Miller and Talk n Text’s Macmac Cardona fighting it out for the coveted plum.

Coaches Tim Cone and Chot Reyes believe Game Four is crucial, saying this could well decide the outcome of the series backed by Alaska, Talk n Text, Dickies, Solar Sports, Araneta Center and Gateway Cineplex, which are giving away special prizes to lucky fans.

“It’s either back to zero or we put them on the brink, so it’s a key game. Whether we’re leading or behind, it’s still a key game. It’s usually the deciding game. It’s like the seventh game of a chess match,” said Cone.

“I think (if) they’re going all-out, we’re going all-out. They can’t afford to let that game slip either,” Cone added.

Talk n Text stopped Alaska from pulling away in the series in Game Three with a 92-73 victory the Texters pulled off behind a resolute defense.

Reyes said the challenge for his team in Game Four is how to sustain the effort of outhustling and outworking the Aces.

“We’ve got one, and now we have to figure out how to get another one. Just like in any place, defense wins the championship and we hope to be able to continue playing tough defense in the succeeding games,” said Reyes.

With the two-day rest, Cone, however, is confident they can regain energy and recover from the Game Three defeat.

“Are we surprised (with the Game Three blowout)? No. We got chased around by Sta. Lucia also in the third game of our semis, pretty much got blown out also in that game. We spent a lot of energy winning the first two games. It’s just hard to find the energy to match them with,” said Cone.