Do-or-die duel for TNT, B-Meg begins: Hunger games

MANILA, Philippines - Will Talk n Text keep its dynastic reign or will it succumb to B-Meg’s “Hunger Games?”

In some way, the unfolding series virtually follows the storyline of the box-office hit movie with its own war of attrition – the Tropang Texters established order against the Llamados, one of the league’s less affluent teams.

TnT and B-Meg begin their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven championship showdown tonight, both hoping for a strong start to seize the initiative in what has long been billed as a rugged mano-a-mano.

Gametime is at 6:45 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The two teams are expected to pour it all out right in the Game One and hope to dictate the tempo and temper of the series with both ready for either a short killer matchup or a long drawn-out skirmish.

“One really would hope to end it sooner in his favor but we’re prepared for seven games,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone.

The Texters, meanwhile, said they would do what it takes to defend the crown.

“The key is getting out in front and take it one game at a time. It’s a cliché because it’s absolutely true,” added Cone.

There should be no sizing up since both teams know each other well.

“They’re obviously the biggest team in the league, the most talented and deepest. It will take a huge effort on our part to beat them but we’ll find a way,” said TnT chief playmaker Jimmy Alapag.

B-Meg has indeed a talent-laden cast led by two-time MVP James Yap and tall import Denzel Bowles who continues to live up to expectations, putting up a solid showing from the elimination round all the way to the playoffs.

“It’s been a long time since we last won a championship. We really want to be back on top,” said Yap.

“It’s been always Talk n Text. Hopefully, it’s our time now,” said B-Meg bruiser Marc Pingris.

Of course, the Llamados know they have a job cut out for them against the Texters, a proud team which has been in the finals in all of the PBA’s last five conferences.

Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes, however, said they have to deal with injuries as they go up against a formidable challenger.

“Harvey Carey is still unable to practice full due to his MCL and Ali Peek is still bothered by his fractured hand. We’re in the process of storing energy for a long tough series,” said Reyes.

Carey and Peek hardly showed action as the Texters got past the Barako Bull Energy in their best-of-five semifinal showdown.

The Texters also underscored their tremendous strength in whipping the Llamados, 102-96, despite playing without an import in their elimination-round faceoff last Feb. 29.

Original TnT import Omar Samhan suffered an ACL injury in the previous game, forcing the team to play all-Filipino versus B-Meg and look for an import replacement later.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Chito Salud has trimmed down to nine the number of referees that will officiate the finals.

It has been Salud’s practice to narrow down the league’s pool of refs for the finals to only among the most competent.