KG Canaleta of Talk N Text (light) vs Yancy De Ocampo, Marc Pingris and Joe Devance (behind) of San Mig Coffee (dark). PBA IMAGE/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Coming off contrasting series-opening victories, sister squads Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee try to close out their foes Friday and make it to the Final Four of the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Mixers take the floor first at 5:45 p.m. against Talk ‘N Text hoping to end the defending champion Tropang Texters’ bid to become the first team to win this conference four straight seasons.
At 8 p.m., the Boosters clash with Barako Bull heavily favored to boot out the Energy and seal a place in the semifinals opposite first qualifier Rain or Shine.
Should San Mig prevail again, Tim Cone and his Mixers will seal a semifinal clash with the winner of the Barangay Ginebra-Alaska knockout match slated Saturday at nearby Cuneta Astrodome.
San Mig looked very much in control in their Game 1 victory as the Texters shot poorly despite adding a new outside gun in former Air21 scorer KG Canaleta.
But Cone knows that it won’t be a cakewalk this time with Canaleta expected to have more time to practice with his new team and coach Norman Black sure to make the necessary adjustments.
“I wish this was a knockout game,” Cone said after his 90-83 win over the Texters on Tuesday. “We have to figure out how to beat them one more time.”
Talk ‘N Text shot a paltry 35 percent from the floor in Game 1 and lost the battle off the boards, 55-45.
“We will have to do a better job on the rebounds to limit their second-chance points,” Black said. “It’s a do-or-die game for us, so we must come out with energy and effort.”
Meanwhile, Gabby Espinas escaped suspension and was fined just P20,000 for his two cheap shots to the head of Meralco forward Cliff Hodge in their KO match last Sunday.
He was fined after the original Flagrant Foul 1 penalty was upgraded by league commissioner Chito Salud to FF2 for going after Hodge’s head and not the ball in a rough play underneath.
In a related development, Globalport has reportedly given interim coach Richie Ticzon his walking papers. Management is expected to make an announcement on his replacement within the week.
The Batang Pier bowed out of the quarterfinals after losing a close one to the second-seeded Elasto Painters Wednesday night. Among those being eyed by team owner Mikee Romero is Pido Jarencio of the UAAP’s University of Santo Tomas.
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