Though momentums are on their side, TNT’s Chot Reyes and ROS’s Yeng Guiao are careful and cautious about their predictions on what will happen in Game 7 of their respective series.
Both Reyes and Guiao believe that anything can happen since both Petron Blaze and Powerade have what it takes to challenge them, perhaps give them hell.
But one thing is sure, the drama will not end tomorrow.
The finals will be another best-of-seven affair, so fans expect more color and perhaps much intense action.
The Painters and the Tigers clash at 5:15 p.m. with the boys of Guiao determined to tame the Tigers for the second straight game to advance to the finals for the first time since joining the league in 2006.
Reyes’ Texters follow suit as they collide with the Petron Boosters at 7:30 p.m. where they are hoping to become the third team in league history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.
A win could be a fitting gift for their owners – Raymund Yu and Terry Que who have been longing to play in the finals in the pro league.
During their PBL days, the team of Yu and Que – the Welcoat Paints – has won numerous titles that they won a Dynasty award in 1997.
Still, winning Game 6 is not a guarantee of winning Game 7, according to Guiao. But they will try their very best to help their owners fulfill their dreams.
“This is the biggest game for our franchise. It’s only proper that we give it our biggest effort. The stats and other numbers don’t matter anymore (in a Game 7). It is pure heart and desire we’ve invested too much in this series to let it go any other way but ours,” he added.
Guaio is hoping that the long playing minutes in the series on Powerade’s ‘Big Three’ of Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and JV Casio would take its toll come Game 7.
David and Lassiter each scattered 30 points in Game 6 but logged in 40-plus minutes, while Casio was on the floor for 36 minutes but struggled with seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field after dropping 25 markers in a 110-108 win in Game 6.
Guiao is confident that his players will have fresher legs, owing to a rotation that plays a 12-man rotation – as compared to Powerade’s eight – with rookie Paul Lee and Jeff Chan logging in the most with at least 30 minutes in the series.
“Their top players, David and Lassiter, and even Casio are playing longer minutes. Hopefully at some point (in Game 7) they get tired. On our side, we can still run because we’re playing a rotation of lesser minutes to our players,” said Guiao.
Aside from Lee and Chan, Guiao will rely on his other mainstays like Gabe Norwood, Ronjay Buenafe, Ryan Arana, Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez, Ronnie Matias, JR Quinahan, Jireh Ibañez, TY Tang and Ronnie Martias.
As for Powerade, coach Bo Perasol said that they are well motivated to win the series, saying: “It’s going to be a game of will. Whoever would fight to win until the end will get the win. Our team intends to do just that.”
Like Guiao, Reyes said they have to bring their A-game to complete their amazing comeback in the series. Reyes expects Petron to come out strong as well and match their intensity.
“Of course not,” said Reyes when asked if he can guarantee a win. “All we did was to tie the series. Guaranteeing anything in life is the surest path to heartache.”
Meantime, the PBA Commissioner’s Office fined Powerade center Alex Crisano P20,000 and TNT center Ali Peek P10,000 after their respective Flagrant Foul 1 were upgraded to F2 following a review by Commissioner Chito Salud and his technical team.
Peek and Crisano, however, are still available for Game 7.
D-LEAGUE ASPIRANTS
Blackwater played with aggressiveness, particularly in the second half, to beat RnW Pacific Pipes, 65-48, for the last berth in the quarterfinals.
The Elite finished the elimination round with an even 5-5 slate to tie idle Boracay Rum for fifth. But they will enter the quarters as the No. 5 seed and will face No. 4 Big Chill tomorrow at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
In the other game, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) posted another lopsided victory, blasting CaféFrance, 107-89.
The Road Warriors leaned on RR Garcia, Chris Ellis, Garvo Lanete and Ian Sangalang to end their elimination round campaign with a 9-1 record. —Jonas Terrado
Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City)
5:15 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Powerade
7:30 p.m. — Talk ’N Text vs Petron Blaze
source: mb.com.ph
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