PBA: Texters down Kings, gain Finals

MANILA—Talk N’ Text broke away early from Barangay Ginebra and grabbed the first Finals slot of the PBA Governors’ Cup with a 102-90 victory Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum while muddling up the standings in the process.

“We hold our destiny in our hands and none of these teams have that right now,” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes said after the victory that left four teams with a chance of challenging his Tropang Texters in the best-of-seven title series.

“Before the game, I just told my players to take advantage of that opportunity and not let it go,” added Reyes, who turns 48 today. “And the players responded in a huge way.”

Scottie Reynolds scattered 25 points, Kelly Williams had 17 and four others chipped in 10 or more as the Grand Slam-seeking Texters opened leads of as many as 20 points on the way to an unreachable 9-3 record.

“We’re relieved to be in the Finals, but our job isn’t done yet,” he said. “This is 50 percent of the work, now the real work begins. It’s going to be an interesting week. Our first priority is to rest, recover and then go back and do the work in practice.”

The Texters dealt a fifth loss in 12 games to the Gin Kings, who dropped into a tie with Alaska, which scored a 105-86 decision of B-Meg earlier in the night.

Rain or Shine and Petron Blaze also moved into the title playoff picture as both can still reach eight wins.

The Elasto Painters and Petron both have two remaining games. Rain or Shine has Alaska and Ginebra as its last foes, while the Boosters have the ousted Llamados and the Texters as their last rivals.

In the event of an Alaska win on Wednesday, the Aces will be the first team to reach eight wins and it would make the Petron-Talk ‘N Text game at the close of the semifinals on Friday a must-win game for the Boosters granting they beat the Llamados on Wednesday.

Ginebra can pop into the playoff picture if it beats Rain or Shine on Friday. In the event of a tie for the second Finals berth, the conference quotient will be applied, meaning all the games in the tournament will be considered.