Tropang Texters become first team in 27 years to defend PBA All-Filipino crown

The Talk ‘N Text Tropag Texters led from start to finish to successfully defend their crown, blasting the Powerade Tigers, 110-101, last night in Game 5 of their 37th PBA Philippine best-of-seven Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters wrapped up the series, 4-1, becoming the first team to defend an All-Filipino crown in 27 years.

The championship finish was a big recovery for the Texters after they lost to the Petron Blaze Boosters in last season’s Fiesta Conference finals. That debacle denied the Texters of completing a rare grandslam.

Last night’s crowning of Talk ‘N Text typified the squad’s domination of the league in the last two years as it has been in the finals for five straight conferences, winning four titles.

Ryan Reyes was brilliant in the championship-sealing victory, scoring 20 points and comine up with a league-record 10 steals.

Talk ‘N Text gunner Larry Fonacier was named the Finals MVP after averaging 16.2 points and six rebounds in the title series.

The championship crown gave Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes his eighth title in 14 finals appearances.

Gary David put up a splendid performance for the losing Powerade squad, finishing with 37 points.

He helped the Tigers crawl back from deficits of as many as 20 in the fourth quarter.