source: gmanews.tv

Powerhouse teams San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text gun for separate wins Sunday and set-up a dream match between themselves for the PBA Fiesta Cup championship.

The Tropang Texters, the top seed in the season-ending tournament, get the first crack at claiming a finals berth as they take on the Alaska Aces in the opener of a suspense double header at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk ‘N Text goes to the 4 p.m. encounter still in high spirits, thanks mainly to its gripping 82-81 win over Alaska in Friday’s Game 5.

Jason Castro provided the game-winner that capped the Tropang Texters’ comeback from an eight point deficit in the final five minutes and gave them the lead for the first time in the best-of-seven series, 3-2.

One positive thing going for Chot Reyes and his team has been the steady plays of import Shawn Daniels the past two games.

With a replacement in Omar Sneed on standby, the burly Daniels has chalked up double-double numbers in Games 4 and 5 and was responsible for intimidating the Aces’ two potential game-winning shots.

“Shawn has reacted positively when we told him that we are bringing in an import," said Reyes, the Talk ‘N Text mentor. “Some would panic, but he did not. It aroused a positive attitude."

The Tropang Texters claimed Game 5 with top gun Mac-Mac Cardona not contributing a single point behind a 0-of-6 stint from the field in 25 minutes.

“Our No. 1 priority is to make sure we match Alaska’s energy and intensity because we’re sure they’re going to come at us really hard from start to finish," said Reyes.

“We’ve only had one day to prepare and be ready for a huge, huge Alaska fight back. That’s gonna be the real, pivotal game."

The Beermen meanwhile, still lead their own best-of-seven series with the Derby Ace Llamados despite failing to close out the semifinal affair after dropping an 88-82 Game 5 loss.

The Llamados are trying to mount another monstrous comeback from 3-1 down the way they did against Alaska in the 2006 Philippine Cup semifinals.

San Miguel coach Siot Tanguingcen is well aware of that special feat the Llamados – then known as Purefoods Hotdogs – pulled off before.

But that was then, according to him.

“History is history," said Tanquingcen. “Yes, they’ve (Llamados) done it. But everything is different now. I don’t concern myself with that. Wala naman maitutulong sa akin ‘yun. Right now, I will just have to look at the tape, see what we and I did wrong, and see what adjustments I can make."

“Kung hindi pa kami natuto duon (Game Five loss), ewan ko na."

The Llamados survived for another day behind the key contributions of big men Marc Pingris and Rafi Reavis, who finished with 17 and 16 points each – both conference highs – and combined for 23 rebounds.

Import Tony Washam also rebounded from a poor shooting night in Game 4, by pouring in 28 points and scoring 12 of the team’s last 16 points.

Their efforts made up for the awful shooting of main man James Yap, who was held down to only seven points in 3-of-10 stint from the floor.

The seven-point production was the first time Yap was held to single digits this conference and tied the Derby Ace shooting guard’s season low.

“My honest feeling is that SMB is ready to defend Tony (Washam) and James," admitted Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio. “But if you add a third or fourth scorer, it might mess things up defensively for them."

“The goal remains the same, to live another day," said Gregorio. “We’re definitely down 3-2 but not out. With our backs against the wall, we will continue to find ways to even the series. Rebounding still will be a main concern."

Incidentally, the Llamados are seeing action for the 63rd time this season and are facing their fourth do-or-die game in the conference after rallying back from a 2-1 deficit and win their quarterfinals series with Rain or Shine. – JVP, GMANews.TV

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