Talk ‘N Text, B-MEG break tie in Game Three

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Adjustments will play a key role for B-MEG even as Talk ‘N Text will try to ride on the momentum of their big win as they take centerstage anew in Game Three of the Commissioner’s Cup finals Friday at 6:45 p.m. at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

“It will be crucial for teams to make adjustments. In Game Two, we were just reacting to what Talk ‘N Text is going to do, now we have to find ways to make adjustments needed to win,” said B-MEG coach Tim Cone.

Game Two saw B-MEG coming back from 14 points down in the second period, before getting the game stolen by Talk ‘N Text when the Llamados self-destructed in the endgame.

But instead of blaming his key players, James Yap and Denzel Bowles, for their crucial blunders in Game Two, Cone and his Llamados want to use it as motivation for the third game.

“Lapses like that are part of a growing team. For us to grow, we need to endure stuff like that. On a positive note, Talk ‘N Text was only able to tie the series. It would be tougher for us had we lost Game One. But the series is only tied at 1-1, so we can move forward and play better basketball in the remaining best-of-five series,” said Cone.

While Yap and Bowles turned from hero to goat in Game Two, Jayson Castro was Mr. Clutch all game long.

Castro finished with 23 points despite playing in pain and hit the go-ahead three-pointer that enabled the Tropang Texters to rally from five points down with less than two minutes to go.

In Game Two, the Tropang Texters were able to beat the usually tight defense of the Llamados, scoring 104 points and shooting 45.3% from the field. The Tropang Texters also shot 31-of-43 from the foul line, a big improvement from their 16-of-36 shooting (44%) in Game One’s 88-82 setback.

Talk ‘N Text also did a better job minimizing its turnovers to seven.

His team already banged up, Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes couldn’t complain at this stage, but instead rallied his team to endure the pain and play their game.

“It’s a battle of attrition. We have to suck it up,” said Reyes.

Follow @interaksyon