Game today:
Araneta Coliseum
6:45 p.m. – Talk ‘N Text vs. Powerade
The favored Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters will gun for an overwhelming 3-0 advantage today in the best-of-seven finals series of the PBA Philippine Cup when they take on a Powerade Tigers squad that is bent on making an impression at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Texters faced a different Tigers squad in Game 2 but came away with the same result, a 102-96 victory that gave them a 2-0 lead in the series.
At the center of the spotlight was reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag, who scored 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including a booming 28-foot three-pointer that sealed the win for the Texters in Game 2.
The Manny V. Pangilinan-owned squad is chasing history as they aim to be the first team in 27 years to defend an All-Filipino crown.
Jason Castro, the Game 1 hero, had 19 points while former Ateneo star Larry Fonacier added 13, highlighted by a layup off a broken play that put his team ahead, 96-93, in crunchtime.
However, the Tigers are expected to fight until the end and show the same amount of resiliency that made them the lowest seed in league history to reach the finals.
Gary David had 30 points in Game 2 but had just nine after halftime. Top pick, JV Casio, meanwhile, had 17 in his Finals debut while Marcio Lassiter contributed 15.
Scrappy forward Sean Anthony, Powerade’s leading scorer in Game 1, was held to just two points.