PUREFOODS, TALK N TEXT TRY TO BRING OUT THE BROOM AND CRASH INTO FINAL 4

Source: PBA.COM.PH

Purefoods and Talk N’ Text have something in common when they step onto the court Wednesday night. The two teams have their sights trained at the Final Four.

Their chances of joining early semifinalists San Miguel and Alaska appears imminent. The Giants and the Tropang Texters both enjoy an imposing 2-0 lead and need just one more win to wrap up their respective quarterfinal series in the 2009-10 KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

But Ryan Gregorio, the Purefoods’ coach, remains cautious, warning his players from making any premature celebration.

“It’s a great feeling to be ahead but there’s nothing to celebrate yet. We need three wins to clinch the series,” he said.

The Giants are playing extremely well in the series hardly anybody noticed that Kerby Raymundo is playing hurt, his knee giving him problems.

Suffice to say, their confidence level has also gone as high as Mt. Everest in the aftermath of their incredible comeback in Game 2 that saw them rally from 20 points down and steal the victory from Rain or Shine on two free throws by James Yap with six tenths of a second remaining.

Gregorio said he expects Game 3 of the best-of-5 series to be a lot tougher because the Elasto Painters are fighting to live another day. Game time is set at 5 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sunday’s loss was truly frustrating but ROS coach Caloy Garcia has kept his faith in his team’s ability to make things happen when everything seems lost.

“We remain confident that we can win Game 3. We just have to learn from our mistakes to be a better team,” Garcia said.

He better make sure of that because Gregorio said the Giants are determined to play hard and smart to close the series.

“(James and Roger) Yap are playing consistently on both ends of the court and they’re giving us a huge lift. And for as long as we have players who are willing to step up when their numbers are called we’ll be okay,” Gregorio said.

TNT coach Chot Reyes also refused to count out the Barangay Ginebra Kings, saying the series’ score does not matter.

But jaded observers raised some doubts on the ability of the Kings to turn the series around after blowing a 20-point lead in Game 2 that could have evened their series with the Tropang Texters at one game apiece.

“Obviously our backs are against the wall. But we’ll try to live to fight another day,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Reyes said he no longer dwells on the what ifs nor thinks about the next level.

“Ginebra made the right adjustments in Game 2. So we have to be prepared. We have to make sure that we play with extreme urgency on Wednesday.”

You might also find My Weekend Journal interesting. Please click to view.