B-MEG, Talk ‘N Text clash in key Game Five

AKTV/Paolo Papa

B-MEG and Talk ‘N Text square off for a crucial 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven championship series Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Llamados and the Tropang Texters battle for a critical win in Game Five set at 6:45 p.m. with the winner moving within one win away from the crown.

Talk ‘N Text leveled the series with a dominating 100-85 win in Game Four, marred by a near brawl late in the game between Tropang Texters rookie Pamboy Raymundo and the Llamados’ Josh Urbiztondo and Joe Devance.

Raymundo was suspended for one game and will sit tonight. He was also fined P40,000 for his two flagrant fouls penalty two. Devance was also fined P20,000 but escaped suspension while Urbiztondo was meted a P2,400 fine for his third technical foul in the tournament.

B-MEG coach Tim Cone said they have to forget that incident and move on for the all-important match today.

“It’s now down to a best-of-three. So now, we have to put away the all extra-curricular stuff that went on in the last game and re-focus on what’s ahead,” said Cone, who ‘walked out’ in Game Four as he reasoned out he did not want to get into more trouble with the refs.

“We were out-energized and ‘out-physicaled’ in the last game and we have to turn that around in Game Five,” he added.

Talk ‘N Text came out with more focus and energy last Sunday as the defending champions badly needed the win to avoid being in a 1-3 hole.

The Tropang Texters used their balanced attack and stifling defense to down B-MEG in Game Four and head coach Chot Reyes expects the Llamados to come out stronger today.

“I’m sure there’ll be a lot of things after what happened (in Game Four),” said Reyes.

“In the end, the team which plays above and beyond the crowd and the call of the referees will have a better chance,” he added. I’m not going to emphasize about it. But I’m going to emphasize to the team what we gonna play good and quality basketball for 48 minutes.”

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