Meralco finally beats Kuya

Ross' rising PG play is key

Meaning, the Meralco Bolts can now wake up in the morning, wash their faces, look in the mirror and say that yes, they finally have a victory over their big brothers in the PBA, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

An asterisk could be put on this opening day conquest though, with most of the Texters' starting unit inactive (Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes, Harvey Carey and Kelly Williams) and the remaining guns like Ranidel de Ocampo, Jarred Dillinger and Ali Peek not at 100%. Whatever, this is basketball-- if you can suit up, then you can play as the greats would always say.

A Pingris a day keeps The Doctor away

Don't let the box score fool you,
Pingris is the real MVP of this series for BMeg

For a guy whose inclusion in the upcoming SMART Gilas 2 men's basketball team raised some eyebrows for an apparent and obvious lack of offensive skillset, the BMeg Llamados' Marc Pingris is proving doubters wrong with his superb defensive exploits in both playoffs and Finals.

Tasked to shutdown the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' postman and resident KKS Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo, Pingris has done all that and more by putting up (in the first 2 games) 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2 assists on average. These may not look much, but check out RDO's ugly stat line of 5.5 points and 4 rebounds with zero assists and you'll realize that yes, Pingris is getting the job done.

Energy implodes, send Texters to Finals

They were hit. They were bloodied.
But still the Texters rose to the occasion.

The Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters do it again. For the second straight conference, they rise from the brink of elimination to advance to the next round which is the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

Great series all in all, with the Barako Bull Energy squeezing out all they could from their tired, old legs. They played physical, played hard and were even fortunate enough to have grizzled champion veterans in the fold taking turns in leading them game in and game out.

Championship Swag

TNT: Grace under pressure

Just the other day the Barako Bull Energy, their believers and even some underdog-rooting converts (such as this writer) were a step closer to making it into the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Their story was to be told for weeks, years and even ages. The "little engine that could," the "David" to the mighty Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' "Goliath." They were only a game away.

Unfortunately, tonight happened.

Energy punks out Texters

Energy will win if they continue
to keep Pena fresh for the 4th

If the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters fail to advance to the Finals in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, then not only would it come as a shock to the local basketball front, but they'll have only themselves to blame.

In Game 2, we all thought that the tables have finally turned and that the Texters were ready to follow up with a rousing performance in Game 3. Not only did the survive the veteran-laden Barako Bull Energy's physicality, but they ran them roughshod to the ground. But something changed, this writer touched on it in the last two entries (be happy if you could check it out) and it worked to perfection.

The Energy made three key adjustments that pretty much sealed the deal.

The Rundown

The Blur is proving to be a handful
even for defensive ace Tubid

The Barako Bull Energy went into Game 2 thinking they figured out the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters puzzle: hit them hard on defense and bang them around on offense. The minute the first quarter ended, they found themselves with more questions than answers.

Yes, the Energy hit the Texters hard. Import Gabe Freeman exploded for 15 first quarter points. But the Texters weren't derailed. They were hanging tough, leading even. They got hit, but they quickly got back up and acted as though nothing happened. These weren't the shaky Texters of Game 1, these were the title-happy/ hungry group that has been rummaging through the PBA for the last 2 and a half seasons.

From all angles: Texters look unstoppable

Dillinger and Fonacier: TNT's "other" stars

Last season, before the wheels started to fall off in the telling Governor's Cup, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters was dominating the league in the first two conferences. Not only did they win bot Philippine and Fiesta Cup, but they did so in a dominating fashion that made other teams look like guest JV squads.

The Texters' Troika of veteran sage Jimmy Alapag, sturdy and reliable Ryan Reyes and vast-emerging star Jayson Castro were running the opponents off the hardcourt. That, plus whenever the KKS Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo felt like dropping 20 and 10s, pretty much spelled doom for the rest of the PBA.