Uphill Climb for Texters

Boracay? Kami? Pang abroad kaya
kami pag championship bonus.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Just a week or so ago we wrote about how the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters were "under maintenance" owing to their lousy start this PBA Governor's Cup and how we shouldn't hold it against them after all they've done for flag and country.

Well, the champion Texters are a prideful bunch.

Last night, they were able to force a deciding duel with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for the 8th and final spot. Should they lose, then that's it for the Texters. But you just don't go counting out a team that's pretty much been in every single PBA playoff scenario the last three years.

Not when Jimmy "Mighty Mouse" Alapag can still lace it up it and continue to knockdown back-breaking, "straight from the parking lot" long threes.

If the Texters are to beat the "L.A. Tenorio feat. Mark Caguioa... and Friends" show that is Ginebra, then they will face heated rivals Petron Blaze Boosters in the playoffs for the right to advance to the next round (to face the winner of the Global Port-Rain or Shine series). Now that makes for a very interesting match-up. We could either have a dream Ginebra vs Petron game or an intense one filled to the brim with off and on court drama with Talk 'n' Text vs Petron.

Truth be told, the Texters look like an entirely different team from the one that started the conference (which, in a way, they are). The Gilas core are back, the system has reverted somewhat back to what we've been used to (a.k.a. the TNT Boring Death Machine coined by our Internet friends) and they were also able to find an import who looks for his teammates (Courtney Fells) instead of an alpha scorer (Tony Mitchell).

Can the Texters beat Ginebra in tomorrow's deciding match?

We say yes.

And not because we're hating on Ginebra or anything.

But simply, this version of the Texters is ready to win-- again. Ginebra on the other hand, relies heavily on the exploits of Tenorio who has become the alpha and omega of their offense. Reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa can still light it up, but he's also been on a "wait and see what L.A. does" mindset which has been followed by the rest of the Barangay (to their credit/ discredit, this team is made up of finishers and not creators. Take out Tenorio and you'll have guys running around like headless chickens trying to go one-on-one with little to no success or team ball orientation).