RANIDEL de Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text issues a pass under pressure from Joe Devance of Purefoods in Monday’s Game 2. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
A Talk N’ Text side that showed it can turn its game several notches higher a couple of nights ago has the momentum Thursday when the Tropang Texters break their 1-1 tie with the defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots in their side of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four series.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Texters seeking a second straight win in the best-of-five series and move on the brink of a return trip to the Finals, where Rain or Shine awaits after applying the broom on short-handed Meralco on Tuesday night.
In Game 2, Talk ‘N Text was sharper, smarter and played with a lot of toughness, completely surprising the Star Hotshots with a hot start before finishing off Purefoods with a crippling 26-7 salvo in the final eight minutes.
The 93-77 win on Monday night certainly restored all confidence by the Texters, who looked disappointed when they trailed big in the series opener before going down after their spirited comeback fell short.
“Talk ‘N Text certainly surprised us with their physicality and hard fouls to start the (second) game,” Purefoods coach Tim Cone said. “And then they came through with a huge finishing kick that put us away. Hats off to them. (But) I think we’ll be a little more prepared this time around.”
The Texters turned physical but not dirty overnight although tempers flared on several occasions with the altercation between import Ivan Johnson of Talk ‘N Text and Purefoods superstar Marc Pingris spilling all the way to the hall leading to their respective locker rooms after the game.
Both teams cannot afford distractions like that to creep in tonight, especially in such a crucial encounter where the winner will have a foot into the best-of-seven title series.
Talk ‘N Text and Purefoods slugged it out in the Finals here last season where the Hotshots, then carrying the name of the San Mig Coffee Mixers, won in four games with James Mays as import.
Denzel Bowles is their man this season, and the former Best Import winner would have to find ways to pace himself up to the endgame, unlike what happened in Game 2.
After shooting 33 points in the first three frames, Bowles looked spent in the fourth and tossed in just two points, failing to contribute when the Texters broke away.
Johnson was a major reason in stopping Bowles at the crunch, playing the lighter Purefoods import more physically and taking him out of his sweet spot.
Aside from trying to keep his emotions in check, however, Johnson needs to assert himself offensively to give coach Jong Uichico more options and allow the Talk ‘N Text locals the leeway to shoot.