PBA Finals: Petron Blaze guns for 2-0 lead vs Talk ‘N Text

MANILA—Petron Blaze guns for a commanding 2-0 lead over Talk ‘N Text today as the PBA Governors’ Cup title playoffs goes to Tubod, Lanao del Norte for a type of game the Boosters have had little luck with this season.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. with Petron seeking a follow-up to its tightrope 88-87 Game 1 victory in a series the Grand Slam-seeking Tropang Texters were tipped to dominate.

That victory has sparked a surge in confidence among the Boosters, with Game 1 hero Danny Ildefonso predicting that Game 2 will mark the first time that Petron will win an out-of-town game this season.

“Doon pa lang kami mananalo [We will win on the road for the first time in Tubod],” Ildefonso said after hitting the game-winning jumper at the buzzer last Sunday.

Ildefonso and coach Ato Agustin’s recollection of their team’s out-of-town record this season is flawed, though. They indeed won one outing—against Rain or Shine—but were unsuccessful in all the others.

But that won’t matter now with the stakes higher and the pressure greater.

The Boosters are trying to extend their mastery of the Texters in this tournament to four games and thwart their rivals’ bid for PBA immortality.

“Like I said, this (title) series is going to be 10 times tougher than the first two (conferences),” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes said in a text message. “We’re experiencing it right now. Petron has done a great job defending us.

“It’s incumbent upon us to counter their defense and their physicality.”

Agustin said they will make no adjustments for tonight’s contest, adding that they already have a read on what Talk ‘N Text intends to do.

The 1992 MVP, who is coaching in his second title series in the PBA, believes that the Texters will stick to the only game plan that has brought them success this season.

“They’ve done nothing special so far,” Agustin said in Filipino. “What they do is run and run at every chance, and if we can continue to contain their transition offense, we have a big chance.”

Import Anthony Grundy completed a triple double on Sunday and will again be at the forefront of the Petron game along with Ildefonso, Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos.

Scottie Reynolds was the missing link for the Texters on Sunday, finishing with just four points in 36 minutes as the Petron defense shackled him without letup.

Jimmy Alapag, Ali Peek, Ranidel de Ocampo, Ryan Reyes and Jason Castro will be the foremost locals for Reyes, who could join the ranks of Baby Dalupan, Tim Cone, Norman Black and Tommy Manotoc as the only coaches to win a Grand Slam.