Boosters look to finish off Talk ‘N Text; Powerade, Rain or Shine dispute series lead

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Powerade

7:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Talk ‘N Text

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters saw their grand-slam bid shattered by the Petron Blaze Boosters last season.

Tonight, Petron will once again try to spoil another daunting mission that the Texters are trying to achieve as the Boosters go for the kill in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinal series of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Boosters moved a game away from marching to the Finals after they escaped the defending champions Texters, 85-82, in Game 4 last Wednesday night.

The win was Petron’s third straight as Talk ‘N Text faltered after winning the series-opener.

Another loss tonight will end the Texters’ bid of becoming the first team in almost three decades to defend an All-Filipino crown.

Veteran forward Danny Ildefonso saved the day for the Boosters, scoring 22 points on a hot 11-for-14 shooting from the field.

The Texters led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but the Boosters came back behind Ildefonso, who scored 16 points in the last 20 minutes.

Ildefonso had to undergo a therapy before the game due to a foot injury.

“There’s a slight tear in my right leg muscle. There’s pain. Tinulungan talaga ako ng Diyos

para makapag-perform pa ng maayos,” said Ildefonso.

“The chance to make the finals is now in our hands. We’ll do our best not to let it slip away,” Ildefonso added.

Although on the brink of elimination, the Texters aren’t ready to give up just yet.

“The series is closer than the score. We lost the last three games only by seven, and that gives us hope,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes.

Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine and Powerade fight for a 3-2 lead when they face each other in Game 5 of their own Final Four showdown.