MANILA, Philippines — Don’t count Talk ‘N Text out just yet.
No team has ever come back from a 0-3 hole and win but Tropang Texters guard Jimmy Alapag said it’s not an improbable task.
JIMMY Alapag, shown here guarding Meralco’s AJ Caram, will again set the tempo of the Texters’ offense along with Jason Castro. EDWIN BELLOSILLO
“It’s not impossible. It’s only impossible because it hasn’t been done,” said Alapag after his historical night was overshadowed by a tough 96-95 loss to San Miguel Beer on Tuesday.
“But obviously, we’ve dug ourselves a pretty deep hole,” Alapag, who moved to second all-time in 3-pointers made, added. “But at the end of the day, it’s still a race-to-four and that’s how we’re approaching it. So we have an extra day to kind of gather ourselves a little bit and get ready for Game 4.”
After getting blown out by 23 points in Game 1 of their semifinals series, Talk ‘N Text had given San Miguel Beer all it could handle in Games 2 and 3 where Alapag thought could’ve easily went to the Texters’ favor with both games going down-the-wire.
“I think the last two games, we’ve put ourselves in good position to win the game. But again in a tough semifinals series, all the little things count — key turnovers and some free throws but at the end of the day, we don’t make excuses. We’re down 0-3. All eyes on Game 4,” said Alapag, who had 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from long range to go along with four rebounds and five assists.
TNT had missed 26 free throws in just its past two games combined where it only lost by a total of seven points.
SMB, on the other hand, has been solid in that area — going 25-of-28 in Game 2 and 11-of-18 in Game 3.
It also marks the first time the Texters are facing such deficit and Alapag believes his team is up for the challenge.
“You know it’s funny throughout my career I think I’ve experienced every kind of experience as far as series go — being down 0-2, 1-3, and being up. Maybe at this point of my career with Talk ‘N Text, it’s another challenge to be down 0-3,” he said.
“We have a very very strong group of guys in this locker room and again nobody wants to be down 0-3 but it is what it is and we’ll continue to fight and try to get this first win.”
According to PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon, the 13 teams that held a 3-0 series lead went on to win.
The Beermen, led by reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, look to continue that trend as they go for the sweep on Friday.