The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters built early double-digit leads then held off Powerade’s repeated rallies to post a 116-100 win at their start of their best-of-seven championship showdown of the 37th PBA Philippine last night at the Davao del Sur Coliseum.
Jayson Castro finished with 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead the Texters’ fourth straight win dating back to the semifinal round.
The defending champions Texters reached the Finals by battling back from a 1-3 series deficit in the semis against the Petron Blaze Boosters.
Talk ‘N Text showed no signs of slowing down, prevailing over the Tigers in a run-and-gun battle.
The Tigers badly missed the absence of Jvee Casio, who figured well in the Tigers’ conquest of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the semis.
“We caught a break with Powerade playing without Casio. They’ll be a different team once he returns,” said Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes, whose squad is looking to become the first team to defend an All-Filipino crown in almost three decades.
Reyes said the plan was to limit the output of Powerade’s explosive guard Gary David.
“We did a good job of containing David. The strategy was to keep him out of 20 points,” said Reyes.
The Texters followed the defensive gameplan to the letter as David scored 19 points—most them came when Talk ‘N Text was way ahead.
Sean Anthony topped the Tigers with 21 points.