Talk ‘N Text begins grand-slam bid, faces Petron in Game 1 of Governors’ Cup finals

Game today:

Araneta Coliseum

7 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Petron

Petron tries to make the most of a rather unexpected trip to the championship round as they face the heavily favored Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters at the start of their best-of-seven title series of the 36th PBA Governors’ Cup today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Boosters’ entry to the finals wasn’t formalized until the final play date of the semis last Friday.

Petron advanced to the finals via a superior quotient against the Alaska Aces and the Barangay Ginebra Kings. The three teams all ended the semis with 8-5 (win-loss) records.

The Boosters are out to foil the Texters’ bid of becoming the fourth team to achieve grand slam.

Petron, under the San Miguel name, did it in 1989. The other grand- slam winners are Crispa Redmanizers in 1976 and 1983 and Alaska in 1996.

The title series will be a rematch of the Philippine Cup finals, where the Texters disposed the Boosters in six games.

Talk ‘N Text went on to win the championship crown of the Commissioner’s Cup, where the Boosters failed to get past the elimination round.

That dismal ninth place finish in the Commissioner’s Cup was Petron’s worst stint in franchise history and very few believed that they could make it to the finals this conference as new acquisitions Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra were still trying to adjust with the team.