Talk ’N Text takes first of four chances at All-Filipino title against tired Powerade squad

Game today:

Araneta Coliseum

6:45 p.m.- Talk ’N Text vs. Powerade

The heavily favored Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters take their first of four cracks at bagging the championship title as they try to sweep the Powerade Tigers tonight in Game 4 of their best-of-seven title series of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The defending champions Texters are on the verge of retaining their crown after they carved out a, 133-126 overtime win last Wednesday that gave them a commanding 3-0 series lead.

History favors the Texters as no team in league history—or even in any major sport—has come back from a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

A win tonight will make the Texters the first squad to defend an All-Filipino crown in 27 years. Winning the championship will also somehow erase the stigma of Talk ’N Text’s disheartening defeat in the finals of last season’s Fiesta Conference, where it bowed to the Petron Blaze Boosters and missed completing a rare grandslam feat.

Talk ’N Text coach Chot Reyes said the Texters should remain focused as the Tigers may come up with a “nothing to lose” attitude.

“It’s not over, we still have to take the final steps,” said Reyes.

With a shallow bench, fatigue is starting to take its toll on the Tigers and it was evident in Game 3.

Gary David led Powerade in that loss with 36 points but faded in the overtime period.

“Sobrang pagod na talaga si Gary,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.