Talk ‘N Text fights to stay alive in semis Game 3

MANILA, Philippines – When you’re down 2-0 in a best-of-5 series, what will it take to come back and stay alive?

Veteran playmaker Jimmy Alapag says the key is for his team to play an all-around game for the entire 48 minutes.

“I think we have to play a complete game,” he said. “You’re talking about a team that’s a champion team. They’ve won the last 3 championships.”

Down 2-0 in the best-of-5 semifinal series of the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters will have their hands full on Monday night, June 23 as they try to thwart a series sweep by the Grand Slam-seeking San Mig Super Coffee Mixers.

“It’s important that you play a complete game. If you turn around and play 24 or 36 minutes, and they’re a really good team, then you put yourself in a position where it’s gonna be tough to win,” Alapag added.

“We have to find a way to play a complete 48 minutes. If we do that we’ll give ourselves a good chance to get back in the series.”

The Texters lost Game 1 in overtime, 92-88, after squandering a 9-point fourth quarter lead. They then scored only 13 points in the first period of Game 2, allowing the Mixers to claim a 93-85 victory.

“I think we’ve lost two very winnable games,” Alapag said.

Game 3 is the last chance for the top-seeded Texters to keep their season, and their bid for another trophy, alive. 

Talk ‘N Text last won a title in the 2013 Philippine Cup, when they completed a hat-trick of Philippine Cup championships since the 2011 season. 

Meanwhile, San Mig Coffee is seeking a place in history with a potential rare Grand Slam feat should they win this conference’s championship. The Mixers have won the last 3 conference titles since the 2013 Governors’ Cup.

Desite knowing that their backs are against the wall, the 36-year old Alapag believes this series is still far from over.

“With our team, we’ve been in this position before and I have complete faith in the guys in that locker room to get out and get it done. Before you get to 3, you gotta get to the first one.” – Rappler.com