Rested Texters, Beermen face hot Aces, Llamados

MANILA, Philippines - Who’s afraid of powerhouse Talk ‘N Text?

Certainly not coach Tim Cone and the Alaska Aces, who despite being the underdog, feel good about their chances against the team that dominated the field in the preliminaries.

 “We’re a little banged up, and we still got guys coming back from injuries but we’re excited about going to the next level. We realize we’re now the unquestionable underdogs, but we feel we can match up well with Talk ‘N Text and we like our chances,” said Cone on the eve of Game 1 of their PBA Fiesta Conference Final Four best-of-seven series with the Tropang Texters.

The multi-titled mentor draws confidence from how the Aces kept in pace with Talk ‘N Text in a 75-76 losing effort back in the eliminations.

“Talk ‘N Text is formidable but we’re not afraid of them,” said Cone, whose wards showed a lot of poise in disposing of the Gin Kings in an epic rubber match, 93-91, before reaching the semis.

 “I really thought we played them (TNT) well the last time we met and if we play that way, we’re gonna have a chance in the series,” he added.

The Tropang Texters own the best record in the tournament – a 15-3 card spiked by a 13-game streak. However, as early semifinalist, TNT took a long respite from competitive PBA action, something that coach Chot Reyes feels could work against them in the 7:30 p.m game.

“This will be a tough series between two evenly matched teams. Period,” said Reyes.

The Texters have not seen action since beating lowly Barako Energy Coffee, 112-101, last June 23, although they tried to keep in shape via tuneup games in Hong Kong and China and participating in the Smart Philippine Invitational Challenge.

Like TNT, No. 2 semis qualifier San Miguel is concerned about possible rust when the Beermen begin their own best-of-seven duel with B-Meg Derby Ace at 5 p.m.

“Yes, we have an advantage of being rested. But you can only do so much in practice to simulate actual games. Nothing beats real competition and that is where Derby Ace has an advantage of playing five playoff games,” said SMB mentor Siot Tanquingcen.

The Llamados had to overhaul a 1-2 quarterfinal deficit against Rain or Shine with two hard-earned wins before forging a Final Four dance with the Beermen.

The reigning Philippine Cup boss, tactician Ryan Gregorio noted, has got a new lease on life with import Tony Washam, who bailed B-Meg out with a pair of explosive performance in their two do-or-die outings against ROS, including a 49-point blast Sunday. 

“Washam has given us a lift. With his arrival, James (Yap) is not the sole target on defense. We have become more potent offensively,” Gregorio said.

“SMB looks invincible, but we are convinced that we can compete for as long as we play as a team and figure out their weaknesses early in the series,” he added.

Interestingly, sister teams B-Meg, formerly Purefoods, and San Miguel are facing off in the semis for the second straight conference. The two also figured in a playoff for the second and last outright semis berth of the Fiesta tourney, which the Beermen won, 88-83.