Experience, desire to spell difference

MANILA, Philippines - One team’s experience and confidence against another’s desire and passion for a championship makes up for a fitting finale to one of the most bitterly fought conferences in the pro league.

This is one title showdown that has all the frills and chills of an epic duel – a seasoned champ against a swashbuckling contender with equal talent and balanced linedup and steered by two of the great minds in the PBA. 

It’s showtime for Talk n Time and B-Meg.

“It’s been a long time that we’ll see two teams with equal talent, balanced lineup squaring off in the finals. There’s no clear favorite between them making the battle really exciting. This is a big treat to the fans,” said the league commissioner during the pre-finals press conference at the Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday.

Coaches Chot Reyes and Tim Cone, and PBA commissioner Chito Salud all foresee a classic duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best-of-Seven Finals beginning Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Talk n Text, a proud champion team, is looking to stretch its title reign while B-Meg, a formidable challenger, hopes to rise back to the top, and it can only be a battle of will and determination.

“Yes, they’ve been playing a lot of games, and we’re hungry. But I feel on my experience (with Alaska), the experience you gather doing it over and over again, winning in every conceivable way, makes your confidence extremely high,” said Cone.

“Experience and confidence. That’s their edge. But I take that we’re fresh and hungry, and we’ll see how that takes us,” Cone added.

“I agree that that’s (fatigue) we have to contend with. It’s going to take its toll on our bodies. That’s a fact that we have to deal with. We also have to deal with the other side – their being the toughest, tallest and deepest team in the league right now. We need to find a way to beat them,” said Reyes.

Talk n Text and B-Meg topped the elimination round, gained outright semifinal seedings and continued to show toughness in the post-elims plays to arrange the fitting finale in the mid-season tourney.

The Texters ran roughshod over the opposition mainly with their offense (No. 2 in the tourney next to Powerade) while the Llamados went all the way to the finals, banking largely on their tough defense (league best).

Reyes and Cone said the battle could boil down to which team can impose their will over the other.

“If they can play up-tempo, we may not have the chance. But if we can slow them down, make the game ugly, then we have a chance,” said Cone.

Imports Donnell Harvey and Denzel Bowles are seeing action in a finals series for the first time ever anywhere, and both can’t wait to plunge into action.

“I already have my bag in the van. I’m ready to lace my playing shoes anytime,” said Harvey.

“This is new to me. It’s a big step in my career and I only intend to go hard in every game and in every situation,” said Bowles.

It’s a series between two great teams, two talented imports and two great minds.

“Everybody’s talking about triangle offense when Tim’s name is mentioned. But his calling card really is details in preparation and devotion on defense,” said Reyes of Cone.

“Chot is not just a coach. He’s a leader. He develops leaders in his team. His team grows all the time and gets better. He’s not sticking to one thing. He uses different systems and he does well most of the time,” said Cone of Reyes.

The two are both highly successful coaches with 21 championships won between them.

Meanwhile, Salud stressed that officiating should not be an issue, saying “the referees will call it down the line, fair, impartial and in accordance with the parameters we have explained to the teams.”

“Let me make it clear that officiating is non-issue except for others who make it an issue instead of focusing on coaching. Histrionics and theatrics on and off the court is a waste of time and energy,” said Salud.

“Physical plays will be allowed to the limits explained to the team. My advice to those who want to try and test the limit, do it in your own peril,” Salud also said.