(From PBA)
Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes believes his Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces are evenly matched.
Tim Cone, who has been coaching Alaska for the past 20 years, doesn’t think that way although he believes his team can match-up well against the Texters.
The Aces earned a semifinal showdown against TnT by eliminating the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinal series last Sunday.
While awaiting their would-be match-up, the Tropang Texters went on a tour to China and Hong Kong during their three-week break while recharging their weary bodies and re-sharpening their minds.
That luxury, some observers say, should work to TnT’s advantage in the opener of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals scheduled Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Game One of the TnT-Alaska match-up is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. following the other semifinal series between B-Meg Derby Ace and defending champion San Miguel at 5 o’clock.
Reyes quickly downplayed the notion that his team enjoys the edge, contending “there’s no such thing as banged up or well rested team in the semis.”
“One is riding a momentum while the other is rusty. But definitely this will be a tough series between two evenly matched teams,” Reyes said.
This marks the first playoff series between the two teams since last season’s Philippine Cup Finals eventually won by TnT in seven games. They also went up against each other in the 2007 Fiesta Conference Finals won by the Aces also in seven games.
TnT and Alaska played each other twice in the elimination round with the Tropang Texters winning on both occasions.
And no matter what Reyes says, in this series the Tropang Texters are definitely the top dog. Their bench depth is the envy of many and their size and strength are expected to make life miserable for the Aces.
But after surviving Ginebra, Cone believes they have an equal chance.
“Ginebra was a tough hurdle. But we’re excited about going to the next level. We realize we’re now the unquestioned underdogs but we feel we can match up well and we like our chances,” Cone proclaimed.
Ryan Gregorio, the B-Meg Derby Ace coach, anticipates a tough grind against defending champion San Miguel but like Cone, also likes their chances.
“We are bracing for another challenge and we are bracing for a tougher one,” said Gregorio in the aftermath of their 105-100 overtime victory over Rain or Shine in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinal series that secured the Llamados’ spot in the Final Four.
“SMB looks invincible, strong in every position. But we are convinced that we can compete for as long as we play as a team and figure out their weaknesses early in the series,” he added.
Import Tony Washam, a replacement for Clif Brown, boosts the Llamados hopes for another Finals appearance.
“We got a new lease on life with the coming of Tony. He came in at the right place at the right time,” said Gregorio.
Washam, whose father Tony Sr. played for Ginebra in 1984, suited up in the last two games of the quarterfinal series, highlighting his effort with a season-best 49 points in Game 5.
“What you have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg,” boasted Gregorio, contending his import has lots more to show.
Like TnT, SMB is also coming off a three-week break, prompting SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen to be concerned going into Game 1 of their series with Derby Ace.
“Yes, we had an advantage of being rested. However, you can only do so much in practice to simulate actual game,” Tanquingcen said.
That being the case, he hopes the Beermen could come in and pick up the pace of their game several notches higher to playoff level. (DBC)
Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes believes his Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces are evenly matched.
Tim Cone, who has been coaching Alaska for the past 20 years, doesn’t think that way although he believes his team can match-up well against the Texters.
The Aces earned a semifinal showdown against TnT by eliminating the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinal series last Sunday.
While awaiting their would-be match-up, the Tropang Texters went on a tour to China and Hong Kong during their three-week break while recharging their weary bodies and re-sharpening their minds.
That luxury, some observers say, should work to TnT’s advantage in the opener of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals scheduled Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Game One of the TnT-Alaska match-up is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. following the other semifinal series between B-Meg Derby Ace and defending champion San Miguel at 5 o’clock.
Reyes quickly downplayed the notion that his team enjoys the edge, contending “there’s no such thing as banged up or well rested team in the semis.”
“One is riding a momentum while the other is rusty. But definitely this will be a tough series between two evenly matched teams,” Reyes said.
This marks the first playoff series between the two teams since last season’s Philippine Cup Finals eventually won by TnT in seven games. They also went up against each other in the 2007 Fiesta Conference Finals won by the Aces also in seven games.
TnT and Alaska played each other twice in the elimination round with the Tropang Texters winning on both occasions.
And no matter what Reyes says, in this series the Tropang Texters are definitely the top dog. Their bench depth is the envy of many and their size and strength are expected to make life miserable for the Aces.
But after surviving Ginebra, Cone believes they have an equal chance.
“Ginebra was a tough hurdle. But we’re excited about going to the next level. We realize we’re now the unquestioned underdogs but we feel we can match up well and we like our chances,” Cone proclaimed.
Ryan Gregorio, the B-Meg Derby Ace coach, anticipates a tough grind against defending champion San Miguel but like Cone, also likes their chances.
“We are bracing for another challenge and we are bracing for a tougher one,” said Gregorio in the aftermath of their 105-100 overtime victory over Rain or Shine in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinal series that secured the Llamados’ spot in the Final Four.
“SMB looks invincible, strong in every position. But we are convinced that we can compete for as long as we play as a team and figure out their weaknesses early in the series,” he added.
Import Tony Washam, a replacement for Clif Brown, boosts the Llamados hopes for another Finals appearance.
“We got a new lease on life with the coming of Tony. He came in at the right place at the right time,” said Gregorio.
Washam, whose father Tony Sr. played for Ginebra in 1984, suited up in the last two games of the quarterfinal series, highlighting his effort with a season-best 49 points in Game 5.
“What you have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg,” boasted Gregorio, contending his import has lots more to show.
Like TnT, SMB is also coming off a three-week break, prompting SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen to be concerned going into Game 1 of their series with Derby Ace.
“Yes, we had an advantage of being rested. However, you can only do so much in practice to simulate actual game,” Tanquingcen said.
That being the case, he hopes the Beermen could come in and pick up the pace of their game several notches higher to playoff level. (DBC)
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