MANILA, Philippines – Talk n Text and Powerade both carved out tough feats to arrange an unlikely titular showdown in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup tonight.
The Tropang Texters distinguished themselves as only the third team to complete a comeback from a 1-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series, nosing out the Petron Blaze Boosters, 92-91, in a nerve-wracking do-or-die match before a jampacked crowd at the Cuneta Astrodome tonight.
Earlier, Powerade, which barely survived the eliminations, repulsed Rain or Shine, 107-98, to make it all the way to the finals.
The Texters and the Tigers figure in a best-of-seven finale beginning with Game One at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in Digos, Davao del Sur.
“We won this series at the end of Game Four when we told ourselves we’re still in the series,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes in their stirring conquest of Petron.
“After going down 1-3, we had no drama, no histrionics in the dugout. We just looked each other in the eyes and told ourselves we still have the chance,” added Reyes, whose Texters stayed in the hunt for back-to-back all-Filipino crowns.
The Texters made the improbable, digging themselves out of that deep hole to make the finals for the fourth straight conference.
Curiously, Reyes will be up against the team he led to two championships before moving over to San Miguel Beer then Talk n Text.
“That team has a special place in my heart. A lot said it’s gonna be easy for Rain or Shine, but look what happened,” said Reyes. “We’re in the finals and can’t be happy. We have to be ready for Powerade.”
Powerade’s Big Three of Jayvee Casio, Gary David and Marcio Lassiter all came out firing and drew the needed support from their backups as the Tigers sustained their improbable run, making the finals for the first time in nine years.
“I believe there’s a formula written in stone – ‘8-4-1-2’. We’re No. 8 in the elims. We made top four. Now, we’re one of two remaining standing,” said Powerade top official JB Baylon.
“I don’t think we’re any better than Rain or Shine. It’s just our time to be here,” said coach Bo Perasol, believing they’re destined to make history, the lowest playoff seed to land in the finals.
Before the Tigers carved the feat, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra shared the record as the lowest-ranked – sixth – to make the finale.
Casio, David and Lassiter combined for 11 triples and a total of 66 points as each one sparkled in this sudden death.
“If it’s written in stone, then we have a big chance to win. We’ll continue to write story and we’ll continue to inspire,” said Perasol.
“Whoever makes the finals in the other series is a powerhouse team. But I think we have the materials to match up with them,” said David.
In their do-or-die setto with Rain or Shine, the Tigers matched up well from the start, leading by as many as 21 and hanging tough in the face of E-Painters’ endgame siege.
Casio, David and Lassiter themselves delivered clutch shots to hold off the Elasto Painters.
As Rain or Shine threatened for the last time at 96-103, David hit his final field-goal basket and the Powerade bench and supporters started to whoop it up.
David, Lassiter, Casio and Celino Cruz combined for 5-of-8 three-point shooting in the second quarter as the Tigers built a 50-33 lead before settling for a 52-39 cushion at the turn.
The Elasto Painters scored the game’s first six points but the Tigers answered with nine straight markers and went on to enjoy a 22-18 lead in the opening quarter.
The Elasto Painters struggled badly in the first three quarters with their rotation obviously suffering on TY Tang’s absence due to an injury.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao surprisingly started with third-string guard Jonathan Uyloan at the point spot.
The scores:
First Game
Powerade 107 — Casio 25, David 24, Lassiter 17, Kramer 12, Cruz 10, Antonio 10, Anthony 5, Adducul 4, Vanlandingham 0, Crisano 0.
Rain or Shine 98 – Quinahan 16, Lee 14, Chan 14, Norwood 13, Buenafe 12, Matias 10, Belga 10, Cruz 6, Rodriguez 2, Arana 1, Uyloan 0, Ibanes 0.
Quarters: 22-18; 52-39; 84-65; 107-98
Second Game
92 – Castro 21, De Ocampo 19, Alapag 14, Peek 13, Aguilar 6, Williams 6, Fonacier 5, Reyes 3, Dillinger 2, Carey 2, Alvarez 1, Gamalinda 0.
Petron 91 – Luts 23, Ildefonso 16, Yeo 14, Santos 12, Miranda 11, Cabagnot 8, Reyes 7, Baclao 0, Tugade 0.
Quarters: 19-28; 51-57; 81-73; 92-91