The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters edged the Coca Cola Tigers, 98-97, Saturday night (Oct. 4, 2008) in a pulse-pounding game that appeared to signal the kind of excitement that awaits basketball fans as the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup blasted off at the Araneta Coliseum.
Jimmy Alapag scored the winning basket for the Tropang Texters with a technical free throw that broke a 97-97 deadlock with eight seconds left in the game.
But the free throw could not have been awarded to Talk ‘N Text, and the game could have likely gone into overtime, had Asi Taulava not committed a glaring violation when he called a timeout when Coca Cola had no more full timeouts left.
The referees granted the timeout but awarded Talk ‘N Text with a technical free throw for the violation.
The Tigers still had a chance to nail their first victory in the season but Alex Cabagnot missed a layup. Taulava then made a putback but the referees nullified the basket after a replay showed that it came a second after the game clock expired.
Ren-Ren Ritualo led the Tropang Texters with 24 points, hitting four triples out of eight attempts. He also grabbed five rebounds.
Mark Cardona, another former La Salle Green Archer just like Ritualo, scored 21 points.
The Tigers were led by Cabagnot who knocked in 18 points.
The win broke Talk ‘N Text’s four-game losing streak against Coca-Cola going back to the last PBA conference.
On Sunday, an exciting double-header will be played at the Cuneta Astrodome as Fiesta Cup runner-up Air21 clashes with top rookie pick Gabe Norwood and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the first game. The Alaska Aces then take on the star-studded San Miguel Beermen in the main game set at 6:50 p.m.
Coaches and other basketball analysts have been one in saying that this PBA season promises to be thrilling and action-packed all the way as the recent draft and off-season trade deals have led to a balanced playing field.
However, they believe that Talk ‘N Text, San Miguel, Alaska, Purefoods and Sta. Lucia have a slight edge over the rest of the field.
Barangay Ginebra, which won the last Fiesta Cup, is not considered a title contender this time because its key players, including Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand and Junthy Valenzuela, remained doubtful starters due to lingering injuries.
Ginebra coach Jong Uichico admitted that it would be tough for his team to figure even in the semifinals, predicting Alaska, Talk ‘N Text, San Miguel, Sta. Lucia and Coca-Cola as the teams to beat.
“We are starting with an incomplete lineup so our target is to just get to the quarters until we get complete,” Uichico said.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine, formerly Welcoat, is expected to put up a strong fight this season following their acquisition of the talented and versatile Fil-American Gabe Norwood. The Elasto Painters have also enlisted collegiate standouts Solomon Mercado and TY Tang.
For its part, San Miguel beefed up its frontcourt with the acquisition of Mick Pennisi and Jay Washington.
