IT’S now down to one final game, as Rain or Shine and Talk ’N Text go for all the marbles on Wednesday.
The Elasto Painters and the Tropang Texters meet in Game Seven of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals series that bordered on physical plays rather than the beauty of the sport at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Statistics-wise, Game Seven favors Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters are 1-0 in a winner-take-all match, while Guiao has yet to lose in two instances that he has been forced to a Game Seven.
Talk ’N Text’s record in a Game Seven is not encouraging. The Tropang Texters lost five of their six games in this critical situation—with Tropang Texters Head Coach Jong Uichico holding a 1-2 record in a Game Seven.
“It’s all for the marbles in Game Seven,” said Guiao, who is eyeing his seventh PBA title and second with the Rain or Shine.
“We spread out our offense and we sustained the pace. We should be fresher in Game Seven.”
The Elasto Painters pulled even with a 101-93 victory in Game Six behind balanced scoring and defense on Talk ’N Text import Ivan Johnson, who was held to a conference-low six points.
Sophomore center Raymund Almazan has been a revelation—the most consistent big man for Guiao—both on offense and defense, while Paul Lee, Wayne Chism and rookie Jericho Cruz have been providing the big lift for them.
While Ranidel de Ocampo and Jayson Castro are carrying the Tropang Texters, Johnson’s offensive production has been inconsistent and Uichico knows they couldn’t afford to have another poor game from their import. “Rain or Shine did more effort in Game Six. Let’s see what will happen in Game Seven,” Uichico said. “It now boils down to one game, winner-take-all.”
A win by Uichico would put him alongside legendary Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, Tommy Manotoc, Norman Black, Chot Reyes and Guiao as coaches who won titles with three different teams. Uichico already has eight PBA titles—six with San Miguel Beer and two with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.