Boosters oust Kings: Face Texters anew in title showdown

MANILA, Philippines - It’s Talk n Text versus Petron Blaze.

Petron gained the rights to challenge Talk n Text in the PBA Governors Cup finals as the Boosters drubbed the Tropang Texters themselves, 98-83, and later beat the Alaska Milk Aces and the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a quotient tiebreak system.

The Tropang Texters and the Boosters figure in a repeat of their Philippine Cup title playoff, beginning their Governors Cup best-of-seven championship series at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The two teams will break a 1-1 tie in their playoff showdowns. The Tropang Texters emerged victorious in their all-Filipino title duel early this year before topping the Ginebra Kings in the second conference to line themselves up for a possible grand slam championship.

Petron set the title rematch in hurdling Talk n Text then drawing the needed help from Ginebra in its 103-95 whipping of Rain or Shine.

Alaska Milk got the axe on Ginebra’s win.

Petron, Alaska and Ginebra ended up with identical 8-5 win-loss records behind top-notcher Talk n Text (9-4). Applying the quotient tiebreak system, Petron emerged the best with 1.040, Alaska next with 1.020 and Ginebra last with .950.

“We did what we had to do. We’re here to win games,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

 Rain or Shine dragged Ginebra in a close battle though playing minus injured import Arizona Reid.

The Kings eventually pulled through on a strong finish starring Mike Cortez who sizzled with all of his 16 points in the final canto.

The Boosters played with great resolve in repulsing the Tropang Texters.

Petron pounced on Talk n Text’s half-hearted stand, taking the half at 47-34 and keeping a sizable lead throughout the last two quarters.

“The guys were aching to survive,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

Long assured of a finals berth, the Tropang Texters obviously opted to play it safe with coach Chot Reyes giving his core group just enough minutes.

Anthony Grundy and Arwind Santos both churned out double-double numbers for the Boosters who overcame woes compounded by the loss of Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

Others out in the injured list at Petron are Jay Washington, Lordy Tugade and Joseph Yeo.

Al-Hussaini went down with torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and meniscus in their last game versus B-Meg Wednesday. He is set to undergo surgery Monday.

Santos finished a three-against-one fastbreak play with a two-handed jam then Sunday Salvacion drilled in a triple as Petron took its first double-digit spread at 39-27.

A counter trey by Emmerson Oreta and a layup by Harvey Carey reduced the gap back to eight before the Boosters made another key run to close the half at 47-34.

The Boosters set the pace in the first half with a 41.9-percent shooting as against the Texters’ measly 28.6-percent clip.

The Texters curiously went 6-of-21 on each of the first two quarters.