Never underestimate the heart of a champion

Admittedly or not, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters entered their semifinals series versus the Petron Blaze Boosters still seething from their foiled Grand Slam bid just a conference back. It showed in the way they fought tooth and nail despite the injuries, and none more than today's Game 7 which they won via the slimmest of margins, 92-91.

Pinoy Cup champs regrouped just in the nick of time

KKS' hats off to the Boosters, who had this series in the bag early with a 3-1 lead but failed to close it out in three tries. Alex Cabagnot evolved into the lead point guard in the PBA today, Arwind Santos proved to everyone why he's the guy whose name is almost a shoo-in for Best Player of the Conference and even season Most Valuable Player and finally, Danny Ildefonso turned back the hands of time to show us that the Demolition Man is still hungry for more rings (and may possibly go down as one of the PBA's winningest players when it's all said and done).

But Game 7 was all about the Texters regardless of how tight the score was in the end. Yes, the Boosters caught up and had a chance to win in the end, but it was the adjustments on the Xs and Os by coach Chot Reyes which spelled the biggest difference of them all.

Cabagnot was forced to pass the ball early instead of setting the table up for the Boosters. Santos was effectively cancelled out by rival Kelly Williams et. al. And it was only Chris Lutz and Ildefonso who were able to carry the fight for the Boosters alongside Joseph Yeo.

On the other side of the floor, guys who played in only a couple of games all conference long for the Texters made sure to bring it all out when it mattered most. Jayson Castro, the man known as "The Blur" but has been more like "The Crash" due to his numerous injuries, scattered 21 points. Jimmy Alapag, lost in the ascension of younger point guards like Cabagnot and teammates Castro and Ryan Reyes, had another classic, nay, vintage performance with 14 points and 7 assists.

Ali Peek, a guy who wouldn't even be part of the series if not for his thick muscular build that saved him from a couple of bullets, hauled in a hard-earned/ fought double double of 13 points and 11 rebounds over Ildefonso and understudy Rob Reyes.

Pang-MVP man si Santos, lamang sa poste si RDO

And then, there was the answer.

The last, true Filipino big man in this day and age of 3 points and crossover loving bigs.

He started the series (and the conference) as he usually does- inconsistently. One day he looks like the bigger version of Jun Limpot (only he wins more). The next he looks like Marlou Aquino during the darker Santa Lucia years (pre-Kelly).

Then, Game 4 happened.

Ryan Reyes was reported hurt. The next game, Kelly Williams hurt his hamstring. Ditto with the forever limping Castro.

It was time.

And Ranidel de Ocampo was ready to take over.

KKS said it before and we'll say it again, there's no one in the PBA today that has the same clinical and polished skillset as RDO. Hell, KKS wants this guy to be called "Dr. De Ocampo" just to recognize his insane on court abilities.

But that's just it. Like any doctor, you don't always get what you pay for. Sometimes they just diagnose you, scribble (more like doodle) on a piece of paper and send you off. Others, they take the time to REALLY check up on you, tell you what's wrong and other possibilities.

Ditto with RDO. Sometimes he coasts, others he dominates.

And once the opening was presented to him, to not be the kick-out big man but number one option- he delivered and the Boosters just didn't have anyone on the roster to stay with him.

Ildefonso's solid, but he's a banger-defender in the block. RDO enjoys some nice footwork and range that forces Ildefonso way out of his comfort zone. Rob Reyes? Rookie. Mark Agustin? Yeah, whatever. Baclao? He's so far off his Ateneo game shape KKS would take Agustin over him all day at this point.

So here's to the Texters' injuries and all for surviving this series and making it to the Finals where they can defend their Philippine Cup title. The series could've gone either way honestly, with all the close games, but in the end, there's a big difference between guys who play not to lose and those who play to win.