Talk 'n' Text makes statement

Last night's main event pitting last year's grand slam seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and, the team that prevented them from doing so, the Petron Blaze Boosters was billed as a match-up of epic proportions owing to both camps' loaded rosters (despite the injuries). Kudos to the InterAKTV team (manned by no less than Jaemark Tordecilla of FireQuinito fame) for highlighting the "champion o chamba" slant that reportedly drew an unprecedented amount of response from the Pinoy Internet community.

Champion o chamba

What if Castro wasn't hurt in the Governor's Cup Finals?
(Injured na, na-injure pa lalo mid-series)

To settle any and all arguments on this page, here's this writer's take on last season's Governor's Cup Finals: Petron had key players missing BEFORE the conference began and was able to adjust all the way up to the finals with the 100% HEALTHY roster that they had. Roles were played to perfection, and the execution was practically flawless as the games leading to the finals helped the rag and tag, somewhat little used (but not necessarily less talented players), Boosters' bench breed familiarity.

Talk 'n' Text, fresh from back to back titles, was literally running on fumes despite the superstar names on the roster. Distractions were also abound as players, who were just doing their jobs and following orders from management, received a lot of flak for not choosing to suit up for the National cause (which was bankrolled by the same outfit). Once the Finals was set, we were looking at a grand-slam seeking yet visibly tired and hurting team versus a hungry, proud and resilient team. True enough, TNT's players (the ones who played major minutes, specifically their triple threat guards: Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Ryan Reyes) started going down and played at about 50% their true capacity which won't do against the caliber of  players that they were facing in the Finals.

The funny thing is, when this writer posted on PBAonAKTV's Twitter page, a fan quickly came to Petron's defense (albeit in a very immature manner) and dismissed TNT as making excuses. Honestly, I don't recall Chot Reyes or any of TNT of making such excuses. They were hurt, period. Jayson Castro showed flashes of being the best damn combo guard in the business if he ever gets healthy (right now, I rank Ryan Reyes 1, healthy Jayjay Helterbrand at a close 2 and Sol Mercado and Castro battling for 3rd) and they'll surely meet again in the Finals the way the conference is going.

The better team won the Governor's Cup Finals, but people shouldn't take away from Talk 'n' Text's surreal 2010 campaign as though it's a "Grand Slam or Bust" thing. That's just plain stupid and shallow.

Petron's loss (Miranda) is Talk 'n' Text's gain

Right now, Miranda means more on the floor
for his team than the 2010 PBA MVP

How big a loss was Denok Miranda to the Petron cause?

HUGE.

While people remain awestruck with the brilliance of Alex Cabagnot's effortless dribbling skills and improved three point shooting,  Miranda is the glue that keeps whoever's on the floor together and accountable. A natural born leader and point guard, Miranda is usually the man who takes care of the intangibles that allows his more offensively gifted backcourt buddy the freedom to concentrate on scoring and passing.

In yesterday's game, Cabagnot was clearly winded by the second half, and couldn't keep a body on Ryan Reyes (who was clearly hobbling at times which shows just how big his heart is) who is the game's best point guard (if Chot Reyes ever lets him play his natural position). Chris Lutz, the super rookie who's pretty much a Ryan Reyes clone only taller and slimmer, was also being outsmarted by the underrated Reyes-- in Filipino, "ginugulangan." These tactics of course, wouldn't work on Miranda who was Reyes' former teammate at Santa Lucia (forever!) and also one of the better kanto-bred players in the PBA.

The X Factor

Is Aguilar the missing link for TNT? Or will he get in the way
once Ranidel de Ocampo comes back strong?

We will probably never see Japeth Aguilar ask for the ball in the block, grip it with both hands, put it on the floor and back his defender down for an easy turn around hook or throwdown. But if he continues to play like he did the first game of the season and yesterday, then all will be forgiven.

Aguilar was aggressive early, far from the lost and hesitant player we've been accustomed to. He drained jumpers, followed up misses, crashed the boards and dunked on fools-- all after being blocked early by Arwind Santos of course (if Aguilar wants to play like a SF, then he has to measure up against the best in the business-- which he did).

Maybe that's all Aguilar needs to really play up to his potential-- the right push and continued confidence from his coaches.

Once Aguilar established and imposed himself on the game, Petron just didn't have anyone to put in front of him. Santos had a rare off-night (and really, how do you expect him to box out Ali Peek? He's awesome but he's far from the Incredible Hulk now) while Petron's other bigs played the traditional, back-to-the-basket enforcer roles.

If last night's game is any indication, Talk 'n' Text is still the better team WHEN HEALTHY-- all while playing without big contributors such as Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carey and Ranidel de Ocampo. Petron needs more than a focused Rabah Al Husaini should they meet again in the Finals (Dondon Hontiveros' spot now officially belongs to Chris Lutz).

Honestly, I just wish that this rivalry keeps going (but hopefully not at the expense of other teams read: lopsided trades) as it adds a different element to the PBA wars. As of today, it's 1-0 in favor of the Tropang Texters and for one night, they can lay claim to being the league's best team.