Talk ‘N Text looks to extend series lead while Alaska aims for equalizer in Game Four

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 11:40 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Talk ‘N Text shoots for a 3-1 lead and move closer to a third straight Philippine Cup finals with a win against Alaska in Game Four of their semifinal series on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tropang Texters seek the huge advantage in their 6:45 p.m. clash as the Aces seek an equalizer and make it a best-of-three series.
The defending back-to-back All-Filipino champion grabbed the lead in the series with a 93-79 win in a highly physical Game Three last Wednesday.
“It has been competitive and very physical and we just have to be ready for it,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black, who drew 23 markers from Kelly Williams and 21 from Larry Fonacier in the victory.
Aces Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio were ejected in that game because of their flagrant fouls on Jayson Castro, who had to be rushed to Makati Medical Center shortly after the game to undergo a CT scan.
“Jayson (Castro) took a pretty good hit on that break but that’s part of basketball. No team will back down. Hopefully, we just stay focused and concentrate on basketball,” Black added.
Alaska mentor Luigi Trillo hopes the referees will do a better job in the pivotal Game Four but also asks his players to focus on the match.
“I hope the refs do their homework see the holding and grabbing is part of the game but is a clear foul when it impedes Sonny’s (Thoss) movement,” said Trillo.
“But we need to adjust. We also cannot get carried away with the disappointing calls against us and we have to play through it. We need to play basketball and focus on that instead,” he added.
After combining for 42 points in their 100-88 win in Game Three, Abueva and JVee Casio were held down to just 11 combined and Trillo needs better production from them to stand a better chance of tying the series.