Game 7s - Fitting end to Final 4 thrillers

MANILA, Philippines - It will be a question of heart and desire as reigning champion Talk n Text and three never-say-die challengers figure in a rare double sudden deaths in the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four at the Cuneta Astrodome today.

Rain or Shine and Powerade square off at 5:15 p.m. while Talk n Text and Petron Blaze face off at 7:30 p.m. in a pair of Game Sevens – a gigantic card happening in the league for only the third time ever.

The protagonists themselves say it’s all about heart as they tangle in these do-or-die matches with the winners clashing in the best-of-seven finale beginning Friday in Digos, Davao del Sur.

The Texters hope to stay in the hunt for back-to-back all-Filipino crowns, the Boosters – the Governors Cup winners – are out to remain in chase for successive championships while the Elasto Painters and the Tigers are aching to stay in the running for a breakthrough triumph.

All four are expected to come into the crucial matches in full battle gear, itching to give their best shot in these no-tomorrow matches.

“We’re going to go down to this game for all the marbles and we’re raring to go. Hopefully, we save our best for last,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

“No matter what, we just get to keep fighting. We’ve got to fight and fight until we can’t fight anymore,” said Jimmy Alapag, a key player in TnT’s victories in Games Five and Six.

The Texters fought back from the jaws of defeat and are now on the brink of a fourth consecutive finals appearance, hoping to be the third team in league history to overcome a 1-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods were the first two teams to make the feat in 1991 and 2006, respectively.

The Boosters, however, are convinced all is not lost and that they can regroup to dethrone the reigning champs.

Petron is out to salvage the series for a 32nd finals stint and a shot at a 20th crown.

“It’s 3-all, and we still have the chance. We’ll work to correct our mistakes and lapses,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

As he’s been saying all along, Agustin said the key is for them not to allow Talk n Text set the pace.

Petron chief playmaker Alex Cabagnot said they would need to drag Talk n Text to a defensive battle.

“We can’t engage them in a shootout. That’s not our game,” said Cabagnot, struggling with a 1-of-11 three-point shooting in the last two games.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believes they’ve got the edge in their own confrontation with Powerade.

“We’re going to Wednesday’s game fresher than they are since practically only three play for them,” said Guiao.

“All we need to do is sustain the pressure on Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and Jayvee Casio. Mauubos iyon (They will run out of gas),” Guiao added. “Everybody and anybody can score on our side.”

Coach Bo Perasol, however, is confident they can prove that Powerade is not all about David, Lassiter and Casio.

Perasol is confident Doug Kramer, Sean Anthony, Josh Vanlandingham, Celino Cruz and Romel Adducul will step up big tonight.

The Elasto Painters are seeking a first finals stint in franchise history while the Tigers attempt to carry the ball club to a first championship in eight years.

NOTES: PBA commissioner Chito Salud slapped Petron’s Alex Cabagnot and Talk n Text’s Ali Peek fines of P20,000 and P10,000, respectively, for their flagrant fouls committed in Game Six of their semifinal showdown Sunday. Upon review of the game tape, Salud dealt the two players heavy fines for the flagrant fouls upgraded from penalty one to penalty two. Larry Fonacier escaped any sanction with a flagrant infraction downgraded to an ordinary foul.