PBA: Can Rain or Shine spoil Talk ‘N Text’s party?

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters are putting on a championship clinic.

Three games into the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, the Texters are up 3-0 with no signs of slowing down.

They could’ve lost Game 3 but veterans Ranidel De Ocampo and 2011 MVP Jimmy Alapag stepped up big time in the clutch.

De Ocampo tied the score at 76 then Alapag hit two 3-pointers to push the Texters ahead. That proved to be the decisive run of the game as Talk ‘N Text never looked back.

They are now only a game away from winning their 3rd consecutive All-Filipino title and coach Norman Black, who is back in the PBA after leading Ateneo to 5 consecutive collegiate titles, wants to continue his winning ways saying they will definitely go for the knockout blow in Game 4 on Wednesday, January 15.

What is Rain or Shine doing wrong?

In the first 2 games, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao blamed their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. In the third game he blamed the officiating.

In the first game they shot 4/21 (19%) from downtown. In game 2 they converted six 3-pointers but still shot very poorly 6/23 (26.1%)

Painters’ main guns Paul Lee and Jeffrei Chan have struggled from 3-point land combining for just 2 makes from downtown in the first 2 games.

Talk ‘N Text made sure to stop the guys that carry the offense for Rain or Shine and the game plan has worked to perfection.

What can Rain or Shine do to extend the series?

When asked if they are looking to make history coach Yeng Guiao was not very optimistic about their chances.

“We can’t even win one,” the fiery coach said in Tagalog.

No team in PBA history has ever comeback from from 0-3 series deficit.

Shooting is the key for the Painters to win but first, they need some sort of morale booster. Rain or Shine has to be emotionally ready for game 4 and approach the series one game at a time.

Rain or Shine bigmen need to work extra hard to give Chan and Lee better looks from the outside.

Gabe Norwood also has to be aggressive attacking the basket. He needs to play with the same resolve when he exploded for 21 points in the knockout game against Ginebra in the quarterfinals and he needs to do it, 4 games in a row.

There’s no doubt that Rain or Shine has the tools to pull off a comeback.

The question is, do they have the mental toughness to help dig themselves out of this hole? – Rappler.com