LEAGUE heavyweights San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text begin their best-of-seven semifinal series of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Friday with the Beermen hoping to shrug off rust and keep pace with their sharp opponent.
The Beermen and the Tropang Texters face off at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Game One, in what could be an epic showdown of the most successful franchise and perennial All-Filipino contender.
San Miguel emerged No. 1 seed after the elimination phase but Talk ‘N Text, after a slow start, finished the round with a flurry to make it to the top 4.
“They are a very experienced team,” said Beermen Head Coach Leo Austria of the Tropang Texters. “Most of their players played for Gilas Pilipinas so mataas ang confidence nila at tested na sila dahil they have won three straight All-Filipino titles.”
Austria is referring to Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Anthony Washington, who played for the national team.
“I expect a very tough series against Talk ‘N Text. Both teams want to win. We just have to play with more confidence because they are really a solid team,” Austria said.
While the Beermen enter Game One well rested, the Tropang Texters had to survive the two-stage quarterfinal round. They demolished Barako Bull, 105-76, then silenced crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 83-67, to own a six-game winning-streak going to the semifinal series.
And Talk ‘N Text Head Coach Jong Uichico knows the Beermen will be their biggest test in the tournament.
“It’s hard playing San Miguel. We will have our hands full. We just have to find a way [to win],” Uichico said.
“They are well rested, they have the advantage. We played a knockout game, the players played longer minutes. But it’s a seven-game series. Our goal is to try to get to the finals,” he added.
Uichico admitted that June Mar Fajardo will be their main target defensively, as they don’t have a big man who can match up one-on-one with the reigning Most Valuable Player.
San Miguel is also parading a new player in Alex Cabagnot, whom the Beermen in a trade with GlobalPort for Sol Mercado. It was actually Cabagnot’s second stint with the team as he was part of the squad that won San Miguel’s last PBA title in 2011 Philippine Cup.
The 10-day break by the Beermen allowed Cabagnot to jell more with his teammates although Austria said the southpaw guard is a fast learner and has picked up his system quickly.