PBA Finals: When push comes to shove

Four games into the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel and Talk N’ Text are now tied at two wins apiece. And what a roller coaster of a split we have just witnessed. Heading into the Finals, these were the two best offensive machines. So naturally, we expected every game to be played at a frantic pace. After the first two games, it did look like it was going to be that way. The Tropang Texters averaged better than 100 points per contest and used big runs to put the Beermen away. In Game 1, they bridged the last two quarters with a 12-0 blast that left the Beermen lost in Negros Island. Jay Washington’s legs failed him, and so did Arwind Santos’. Jason Castro led six other Texters who scored at least nine points. The younger Tropa looked as if they were ready to run the Beermen to the ground, pounded them for 19 fastbreak points. The result: TnT with a comfortable 91–82 win. Game 2 shifted back to Manila, over at the Cuneta, where Talk N’ Text has not lost in two years or so. While Castro had another solid outing (15 pts, 5 asts) in 21 minutes, it was Jared Dillinger who delivered 11 of his 20 points as they broke away early in the fourth period. Five other Texters scored in double figures en route to a 110–102 victory. TnT took the first two games with Ali Peek averaging 9.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, while making San Miguel show their age. With a lot of pundits starting to write the Beermen off, Olsen Racela happened. The speech he gave when he was honored right before Game 3 ignited something in his veteran crew. Danny Ildefonso and Paul Artadi got the starting nod. Dorian Pena came off the bench to match up with Ali Peek. And while the Big Dawg was diving for loose balls, he held the Man Mountain to three points and six boards. In the 3rd quarter, Cabagnot and Ildefonso connived for a 12-0 run that broke the game open as that made it an 18-point advantage. As we got deeper into the night with the Beermen’s lead swelling to as much as 27, the game started to get ugly. The Tropa’s shock troopers finished the game off, and not just tempers were flaring. Elbows and knees were thrown, and there were bodies and blood all over the floor. And if you didn’t believe it before, this war was about to reach its tipping point. The score: 103–82.

Blood oozes from San Miguel Beerman Sunday Salvacion's forehead as he got hit by a wayward elbow from Texter Mark Yee. Photo: Odi de Guzman

When the smoke cleared, San Miguel stood victorious, with their faithful horde beaming with new hope. Then we get to Game 4. Washington was feted with the BPC plum before tip-off. And the usual "jinx" fears were quickly erased as JWash came out of the gates with nine fist-quarter points. SMB erected a 17-point lead sometime in the second frame before TnT came roaring back late in the game. Although Ali Peek pulled down eight boards, he was held to just two points, with Dorian Pena and Danny Ildefonso alternating on him all game long. "Defense wins championships" is what they say. In the first two meetings, the Texters showed it, while in the last two, SMB lived by it as they held TnT below 90. But guts and poise were what became even more evident late in that game. Delivering four crucial free throws that sandwiched a huge diving recovery to seal the victory, Olsen Racela, at 40, was definitely on top of it. SMB took Game 4, 91–87, and has turned this series into a virtual best-of-3.

The author, Magoo Marjon (in dark suit), watches from the sidelines during the pivotal game 3 of the PBA Finals between the San Miguel Beermen and the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. SMB won 103-82 to stay alive 2-1 in the series. Photo: Odi de Guzman

With two more days before Game 5 on Wednesday, Coach Chot Reyes and the Tropang Texters are left wondering. What went so wrong after they had dominated the first two games? How can they match or surpass the emotional high the Beermen are now riding on? How can they get Ali to move mountains once again? How do they get Jimmy to dominate mightily? And for SMB, how do they continue this roll? Can they back Danny I. up (he said they will finish it in six)? How do they keep TnT frustrated? When push comes to shove, defense, guts and poise will spell the difference between celebrating and mourning. With one last week remaining, only one thing is for sure: this Clash of the Titans is everything we had hoped it to be. It has been worth the wait. -- KY/OMG, GMANews.TV