Texters remain intact for PBA 37th season
By Musong R. Castillo
Though sad at how Talk ‘N Text’s Grand Slam bid ended, business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan will be keeping intact his Tropang Texters for the PBA’s 37th Season starting on October 2.
Though sad at how Talk ‘N Text’s Grand Slam bid ended, business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan will be keeping intact his Tropang Texters for the PBA’s 37th Season starting on October 2.
The crowd of close to 17,000 that witnessed Petron Blaze deny Talk ‘N Text a Grand Slam last Sunday night topped a record-breaking year for the Philippine Basketball Association as it grossed close to P90 million in gate receipts for a new all-time record.
It was easy to sense the sincerity in Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin when he said that he felt for Talk ‘N Text after its missed Grand Slam bid.
It was also obvious that guiding the Boosters to that win for the ages was something personal for him. Truly personal.
Grand Slam slammed.
Down to 10 players for one of the most important PBA matches in franchise history, Petron Blaze last night completed the improbable by turning back Talk ‘N Text, 85-73, in a Game 7 to remember that made the Tropang Texters miss their date with destiny.
After pulling out of the pocket tournament in Qatar, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is aiming to put together a pair of tuneup games against Jordan and a couple more in China for the PBA stars to blend in before the Fiba Asia Championship.
Jason Castro said it best: “Game 7? Of course, I’ll play.”
Smart Gilas Pilipinas scrapped its Middle East trip after Talk ‘N Text players loaned by the national team become unavailable for the pocket tournament to be held in Doha, Qatar, on Aug. 24-30.
-Talk N’ Text’s Grand Slam quest just got propped up by the “Limping One.”
Jason Castro played with pain in his right knee and sparked the Tropang Texters to a 104-78 victory over Petron Blaze that sent the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals—and their Triple Crown bid—into a deciding Game 7.
Jimmy Alapag, the Talk ‘N Text playmaker whose size belies his Spartan-like work ethic and hunger for winning, bagged the Most Valuable Player award of the 36th PBA Season Sunday night.
-Arwind Santos made the most out of the opportunity when adversity hit Petron Blaze.
Friday night, he reaped the reward for his efforts.
Firing on all cylinders, Talk ‘N Text overwhelmed Petron Blaze, 132-105, Friday night to grab a 2-1 series lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After showing that they, too, are not afraid to play hard and rough, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters hope to ride the momentum of a physical victory over Petron Blaze two nights ago in Friday night’s Game 3 and wrest control of the PBA Governors’ Cup title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Danny Ildefonso, the only remnant of the San Miguel Beer squad that ruled the PBA with an iron hand in the last decade, was in vintage form in leading Petron Blaze past Grand Slam-seeking Talk ‘N Text Sunday night.
