Game Five: Who will get 'out-physicalled?'

MANILA, Philippines – It’s down to a best-of-three, and all signs point to a total war – fines, flagrant fouls, suspensions – in a title series that has brought out a new cage jargon – “out-physical.”

Talk n Text and B-Meg clash in Game Five of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals tonight in what promises to be a highly physical contest for the all-important victory in the series that has lived up to all the hype.

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

B-Meg coach Tim Cone said they would try to “put away all the extracurricular stuffs that went on in the last game and refocus on what’s ahead.”

“We were ‘out-energized’ and ‘out-physicalled’ in the last game and we have to turn that around in Game Five,” said Cone, referring to their 85-100 loss in Game Four Sunday that sent the series back to where it started last week.

Both teams are playing with their key personnel intact since only Talk n Text third-string playmaker Pamboy Raymundo was meted suspension in the aftermath of the Game Four incident.

Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes said he would not harp about the incident but just push his team to play quality basketball for full 48 minutes.

Raymundo, as expected, drew the severest sanction of a game suspension plus a fine of P40,000 for two flagrant infractions incurred during the incident marring the closing minutes of Sunday’s game. 

B-Meg players Joe Devance and Josh Urbiztondo were fined P20,000 and P2,400, respectively, for their own infractions.

The Texters once again bounced back from a loss Sunday, taking their turn to control the tempo of the game on the way to a series-tying win.

It would be noted that the Texters emerged victorious in the games – Games Two and Four – where they’re able to play their style of play, scoring at least 100 points.

The Llamados held the Texters to an average of 84.5 points as they prevailed in Games One and Three.

Reyes said they played “Talk n Text basketball” Sunday, and they intend to do the same in Game Five.

“To be very honest after three games, I felt we’re lucky to be 1-2 down. It could’ve easily been 0-3. I told the guys ‘let’s take advantage of that, let’s make sure to capitalize with a great effort,’ and that’s what happened,” said Reyes.

Reyes said the same formula is needed for them to keep going.

“The physicality is a given. It’s the finals. Emotions are high and everyone is on the edge. It’s dependent on which team is able to stay focused and play above and beyond the physicality, the crowd, officiating and so forth and so on,” he said.

Game Four actually was a lopsided match, lacking excitement and drama until Raymundo committed a flagrant foul when the Texters were already putting the finishing touch on their victory.

With their coach challenging “missing players,” forwards Jarred Dillinger and Larry Fonacier responded in the affirmative, boosting the Texters’ offensive sock.

Dillinger and Fonacier stood out in making 18 points apiece with Jason Castro, Donnell Harvey, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo adding at least 10 each.   

Averaging only 3.7 points in the series’ first three games, Dillinger made 14 just in the first half in this contest on 2-of-4 three-pointers and 4-of-8 twinners.

Dillinger and De Ocampo tossed in seven apiece as Talk n Text unravelled a searing second-quarter assault and sat on a 47-35 cushion at halftime.

The final half was all about Talk n Text and the endgame fracas.