Games Friday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

 5:30 p.m. — Petron Blaze vs Talk ’N Text

7:45 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text has a chance to put away Petron Blaze and reduce the fight for the last finals berth between Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk on the final day of the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters clash with the Boosters in the opener of the regular doubleheader at 5:30 p.m.

A victory by TNT will eliminate the Boosters and enhance the chances of the Kings who battle Rain or Shine in the other game at 7:45 p.m.

The Aces finished their semifinal campaign with a 95-89 win over Rain or Shine Wednesday. They now await the results of Friday’s matches.

If Petron loses, the Kings can advance outright with a win over the Elasto Painters.

Victories by Petron and Ginebra will forge a TNT-Petron finals.

Alaska’s chances hinge on a Petron win and a Ginebra loss or victories by TNT and Rain or Shine.

Petron and Ginebra are tied with identical 7-5 records.

Already assured of a finals stint, TNT is determined to end the semifinals with a victory – their 10th in 13 games.

A three-way tie for second spot favors the Boosters who hold a superior quotient of 1.04 as compared to Alaska (1.02) and Ginebra (0.95).

Petron coach Ato Agustin knows what it takes to beat the Texters.

“We just have to go out and be aggressive both on offense and defense,” Agustin, who is eyeing his second championship stint in his third season, said. “Talk ’N Text is so quick in transition, so we have to speed back on defense, play them in a half court game.”

“We’ll do our part na manalo muna, bago kami magdasal na sana manalo din ang Ginebra,” added Agustin.

The Boosters defeated the Texters, 101-96, last July 9.

Petron is coming off a win opposite B-Meg, 97-92, Wednesday despite losing rookie center Rabeh Al-Hussaini to a knee injury. The 6-7 Al-Hussaini is out for the rest of the season after results showed he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

source: WAYLON GALVEZ -MB