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| ACES, TROPANG TEXTERS TRY TO INCH CLOSER TO FINALS |
| Written by staff | ||
| Wednesday, 21 January 2009 02:31 | ||
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 Neither Alaska's Tim Cone nor Talk N Text's Chot Reyes expected this series to be a picnic.Now, the Aces and the Tropang Texters have an opportunity to take the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the San Miguel Beermen out of their path sooner than later. All they have to do is work their way to another W Wednesday night as the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series shifts from the Araneta Coliseum to the Cuneta Astrodome for the next three games. Alaska and TNT lead the series, 2-1. On the strength of their inspiring 110-106 comeback victory last Sunday plus the probability of SMB showing up with a depleted lineup again, the prospect looks good for the Tropang Texters in Game 4. Reyes, though, remains cautious noting that SMB seems to play better with a limited rotation. "They seem to play better and really maximize their potential when they're decimated," observed Reyes, whose team teetered on the brink of defeat before rallying from seven points down in the closing minutes of Game 3. The TNT coach said he anticipates another rough sailing in their 5 o'clock duel with the Beermen although he seems to have figured out how his troops would come out of the battle with a 3-1 lead. "We just have to shoot well from the field and contain Dondon (Hontiveros)," he said. After a nine-point production in Game 1, Hontiveros appeared to have recovered his shooting touch in Game 2 that saw him scoring 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He was at his best in Game 3, going 10-for-18 on the way to a new career-high 39 points. "We really have to find a way to stop him," said Reyes, adding "We should also figure out why they have already taken 42 more free throws than us in three games." TNT is giving up an average of 34 free throws a game in the series, nine more than their norm during the eliminations. SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen said Game 4 could be turning point of the series so the Beermen have to play the best they could. "It's crucial, so we have to defend well and play real smart offensively," the SMB coach said. Tanquingcen's outlook is shared by Sta. Lucia Realty coach Boyet Fernandez, who is aiming to tie their series against Alaska. After being blown away in the series' opener and coming up short in Game 2, the defending champion Realtors finally pulled it through in Game 3, pouncing on the Aces, 76-65. The Realtors are trying to become the first all-Pinoy repeat champs in 24 years and could keep their aspirations alive with another victory in their scheduled 7:30 p.m. duel with Aces. "If Game 3 is crucial, tonight's game is all the more crucial for us," Fernandez said. Fernandez sounds positive about their chances to repeat but stressed the Realtors will have to sustain their intensity and composure the whole game. "But of course, defense will still be the key if we should tie the series,' he said. Meanwhile, Cone hopes their setback in Game 3 will serve as a wake up call for his troops. "We obviously have to put a better game together this time out. We didn't have real good focus or concentration last game, Sta. Lucia is too good for us not bring anything less than our best," Cone said. (DBC) |
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