GOING FOR THE KILL
Game today
Araneta Coliseum
6 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Rain or Shine
Series Recap
Game 1
TNT 99, ROS 92
Game 2
ROS 116, TNT 108
Game 3
ROS 109, TNT 97
Game 4
TNT 99, ROS 92
Game 5
TNT 103, ROS 94
Ivan Johnson and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters try to finish off Jireh Ibañez and the rest of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 6 of the 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best-of-7 Finals today at the Araneta Coliseum. (INQUIRER PHOTO)
A series that featured skirmishes resulting to hefty fines and a suspension could come to an end as the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters look to close out the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters today in Game 6 of the 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best-of-Seven Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Tip-off is set at 6 p.m.
Regaining ground after succumbing to back-to-back losses in Games 2 and 3, the Tropang Texters are out to win their seventh championship crown and Jong Uichico looks to join five other coaches to a title with three different teams.
Defense has been Talk ‘N Text’s calling card in the series as it won all the games in which it limited Rain or Shine below 100 points.
Talk ‘N Text won Game 1, 99-92 but surrendered Games 2 (108-116) and 3 (97-109).
The Tropang Texters tied the series at two games apiece after scoring a fight-marred 99-92 win in Game 4.
A near free-for-all broke out in Game 4 following a wrestling match between Talk ‘N text’s Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Rain or Shine’s Jireh Ibañez. Burly Rain or Shine forward JR Quinahan was also involved in the fracas that saw him throwing the ball at Rosser’s face.
As a result, Ibanez and Rosser were fined P40,000 each. Quiñahan was slapped with a P50,000 fine and a one-game suspension which he served in Game 5 won by Talk ‘N Text, 103-94.
“Hindi pa tapos. Alam natin kailangang apat na panalo at alam natin na laging todo laro ang Rain or Shine. Kung ano ang attitude namin ngayon, dapat ganon pa rin sa Sunday,” said Uichico after the critical win.
“We don’t want the momentum to shift back to Rain or Shine. Dapat i-control pa rin namin ang dapat i-control especially our attitude towards the game,” Uichico added.
Ranidel de Ocampo and import Ivan Johnson each fired 27 points in Game 5 while Jayson Castro scored 15.
“The players are finding a way to win. Everything is out in the open na. Wala nang major adjustments. It’s really just the players finding a way to win,” Uichico also said.
Stopping De Ocampo, Johnson and Castro will be the key if Rain or Shine is to force a Game 7.
“Pagsabay-sabay pumutok yong tatlo, talagang wala kaming chance manalo,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.