Petron takes 1st crack at finals

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Blaze tries to cap its domination of Talk n Text and again foil the Texters’ title-retention bid as it shoots for the first finals berth in Game Five of their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown at Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Coach Ato Agustin and his chargers, who spoiled TnT’s grand slam drive in the previous conference, take the first of three chances to finish off the embattled Texters in the 7:30 p.m. match.

“The chance to make the finals is now in our hands, we’ll do our best not to let it slip away,” said Petron Blaze veteran Danny Ildefonso.

The league returns to its regular double-header fare with Rain or Shine and Powerade breaking their 2-2 tie in their own semis duel at 5:15 p.m.

The Elasto Painters hope to keep the momentum of their emphatic 110-95 win in Game Four Tuesday as they go for the pivotal lead and a crack at the championship.

“We’ll have the psychological advantage, but it’s just psychological. We’ll still have to grind it out,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

But the Tigers are unfazed by their Game Four setback, vowing to defy the odds and make it all the way to the finals.

Meanwhile, the Tropang Texters still entertain hopes of keeping their title-retention campaign alive despite falling on a deep 1-3 hole.   

“The series is closer than the score. We lost the last three games only by seven, and that gives us hope,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

All first four games were close with Talk n Text winning by just four in Game One, Petron prevailing by two in Game Two, again by two in Game Three then by three in Game Four.

The Boosters displayed grace under pressure to pull through in the last three games.

“We tip our hats off to Petron. They’re really the better team right now. They’re making the shots they need to make and we’ve been missing the shots we’re supposed to make,” said Reyes.

The TnT bench mentor, however, stressed they’re not about to give up.

“We’ll try to focus and find a way to win,” said Reyes, hoping they can survive and stay on track to becoming the first team in nearly three decades to repeat as all-Filipino champs.

Petron, however, is proving to be Talk n Text’s big nightmare.

“I have to give it to the boys. Their experience is working for us. Their poise and confidence never waver,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

Agustin vowed they would not relax a bit in Game Five.

“The idea is to match their intensity. We have to stay aggressive,” said Agustin.