The PBA Philippines Cup’s Final Four Series in Thursday is expected to turn into one of the best basketball matches before the championship as two of the best PBA teams will square-off to test their strengths at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay after their much needed rest after the holiday season.
The PBA Philippines Cup’s Final Four Series in Thursday is expected to turn into one of the best basketball matches before the championship as two of the best PBA teams will square-off to test their strengths at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay after their much needed rest after the holiday season.
Reclaiming their Honor
The two big teams that will go head-to-head with each other this coming Thursday are Talk N’ Text and Petron Blaze. According to latest PBA News, the Tropang Texters had been on the Booster’s heels since Petron Blaze had denied Talk N’ Text a place in the history of the league, when Petron ruled last season’s Governors’ Cup to prevent the team’s fifth Grand Slam.
According to TNT coach, Chot Reyes, his squad is as ready as ever to reclaim their lost honor in this match-up against Petron Blaze, though Reyes himself have said that the fight wouldn’t be an easy one.
“It’s 50-50,” said Reyes of his return match with the Boosters which he has tried to down play as a time for them to get even. “Health and conditioning will definitely be factors, but so will hunger and execution.”
Both teams is said to possess no advantage or edge over the other, which is why PBA fans will expect a great fight between two would-be champions, a championship before a championship.
Welcoming Back their Old Teammates
According to latest PBA News, Reyes will welcome back two regular big men to his rotation in Ali Peek and Ranidel De Ocampo, but whether or not they are in game-shape and could match up with the Boosters’ frontline remain to be seen.
Peek, who survived a gunshot wound at the back of the neck last November, has started practising and could be the muscle that the Texters need in order to battle the Boosters’ big men led by Danny Ildefonso, Nonoy Baclao and the vastly improved Rob Reyes.
In addition to their two big boys, Reyes will also seek the assistance of Japeth Aguilar, the the hero in the Texters’ last win over the Boosters in the eliminations, could again be asked to play a key role by Reyes. But the 6-foot-9 beanpole must be willing to rough it up inside in order to stay on the floor long.
Meanwhile…
Petron Blazers has played a game more than the Texters after needing to win a best-of-three series against Meralco. The Boosters showed their true strength in that series, with Alex Cabagnot and Dennis Miranda proving to be the biggest headaches for their rivals.
Two of the leading candidates in the Best Player of the Conference award come from Petron, with Arwind Santos eyeing the trophy for the second straight conference. Santos has been a consistent double-double guy for Petron, finishing in double figures in both scoring and in rebounding 12 times.
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