Texters show poise, tries for 3-peat

Castro was just too fast for Casio et al

We're not sure about the early days, but in the last 20 years no PBA team has successfully defended the Philippine (then All Filipino) Cup for three straight years. History is about to change however if the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters have their way after dismissing the young Alaska Aces in tonight's "you reach, I teach" Game 6 clincher.

We say and quote the great Michael Jordan simply because that's how the Texters played the game. The Aces were battling, scrapping for points behind rookie phenom Calvin "The Beast" Abueva and were in it despite off nights from guards JVee Casio and Cyrus Baguio but they were never really able to take control of the game thanks to the poise shown by the Texters.

At the forefront was Jimmy Alapag, setting up shop early and getting everyone involved. They force-fed Kelly Williams so that Sonny Thoss would extend outside the paint, they went to Jayson Castro who was just in another gear (kumbaga sa kotse, brand new Formula 1 Ferrari si Castro, naka 70s kahon-type Datsun si Casio at RJ Jazul) hell, even Jarred Dillinger was getting his touches to ensure that Baguio played honest defense.

Come second half, it was all Alapag yet again. The one time PBA MVP was all about closing the game and kept sticking dagger threes to answer any and all Aces' runs. Abueva, Gabby "The Prototype" Espinas and Sonny Thoss went to work, but Ali Peek and Harvey Carey stood their ground and did an excellent job in boxing out and clogging the paint.

You have to give credit to the Texters coaching staff headed by Norman Black, they just turned the screws tighter in the 2nd half to create separation from the Aces. They took away the guards first, then the frontline later. While the first half was all about run and gun, exciting basketball, the second slowed down and the scoring along with it. It was all by design, the poise, the craftsmanship-- Black has made this team his and they are playing basketball the right way on all accounts.

Future looks bright with Aces' new pillars

For the Aces, you have to love the way they were able to bounce back from last season's disastrous "we can't win without Tim Cone" performance. Coach Luigi Trillo and his high pedigree team of assistant coaches did a masterful job in getting the best out of their guys despite playing an odd-looking Triangle Offense system. They need to consider playing more of the pick and roll game now that they have a pair of excellent snipers at the PG position with both Casio and Jazul, one thing's for sure- we will never doubt Trillo again. Dude's paid his dues and has gone a long way from the wide-eyed, choker of a coach back with Adamson. Now he's all zen and shit even when they're behind by double figures. Just a great job, specially because he appears to have his star Abueva's ear at all times.

Also, at some point, Casio needs to find some balance between his "God" and "Playmaker" modes. You can't just cruise in the first three quarters and then start trying to jack up shots in the 4th hoping for the best. He needs to pick his spots early to get into a shooting rhythm so that come 4th, he's already in the zone and ready to make shots.

That, or just borrow from Alapag's playbook and call your own number: bring the ball down, pretend to call a play, then throw up a three from 32 feet.