ONE team is seeking its first title since winning the 2014-15 PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Rain or Shine, while the other team is gunning for another title since ruling the 2017-18 PBA Governor’s Cup against Alaska Milk.

Against this backdrop, Talk N Text and Magnolia take the floor and begin their best-of-seven title showdown in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State Univerity gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Game time is 6 p.m. with odds about even between the Tropang Giga and coach Chot Reyes and the Hotshots and coach Chito Victolero.

Both Talk N Text and Magnolia are toughened by hard-earned victories in their respective semifinal series, with the Tropang Giga eliminating San Miguel Beer, 4-3, and the Hotshots finishing off Meralco, 4-2.

Reyes, who returned to the team only this year, said he is thankful for the opportunity to fight for the crown in his PBA return.

“I came into this with just one thought for the team – to get better,” said Reyes in an interview posted in the official PBA website.

“I spoke to the players about this and they bought into it. I told the vets you don’t have anything to prove, just improve,” headded.

His Magnolia counterpart, Victolero, is also satisfied with his players’ performance against Meralco, but admitted his team will be the underdog in the championship series.

“Mabigat ang laban, but whether it’s a short or long series, we’ll be ready for it,” said Victolero, who is also hoping to get the most in Calvin Abueva’s first year with the Hotshots.

“Depende sa offensive or defensive schemes, pwedeng maglaro si Calvin ng two, three or four,” said Victolero.

Abueva, nicknamed the “Beast”, is currently leading the race for the PBA Best Player of the Conference award.

The 6-3 Abueva averaged a double-double of 15.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 block shots in 19 games since joining the Magnolia franchise.

Abueva’s closest rival in the BPC award is Talk N Text rookie Mikey Wiliams.

The 28-year-old Fil-Am guard had averages of 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 18 games.

He was also named Cignal -PBA Press Corps Player of the Week after leading Talk N Text to a series-clinching 97-79 win over San Miguel Beer in their do-or-die game last Sunday.

The other players to watch are Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy for TNT and Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Mark Barroca for Magnolia.

Game Wednesday:

(DHVSU gym)
6 p.m. – Magnolia vs. Talk N Text