TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- Returning from the halftime break with a steely resolve, Talk ‘n Text cooled down Petron Blaze, 105-83, to force a one-game standoff in their PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven title playoff here Wednesday night.

The Tropang Texters stood their ground in a rugged encounter and won pulling away in imposing their game in the final half, a rousing turnaround witnessed by a highly appreciative Lanaoans at the Mindanao Sports and Civic Center.

It was a contest filled with energy, intensity and emotion marked by hard fouls and flagrant infractions, including one that sparked a near free-for-all late in the first half.

“One thing that we wanted to do here in Game Two was to come out with a lot of physicality because they’re really beating us in giving us really rough fouls and hard fouls. It was seen here today,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

“At the half, I asked my players if they’re scared because we’re not going to win this series playing like sissies,” Reyes added.

The Texters toughened up in response to their coach, and overwhelmed the Boosters playing their sleek transition game.

“We manned up; we became stronger; and we took it right through them because this is war,” said Reyes.

“The only way we’re gonna win is if we play as physical. If they’re gonna throw cheap shots, we’re gonna give it right back at them. We should hit them harder,” Reyes added.

The Talk n Text coach promised it’s going to be that way from here on.

The two teams fly back to Manila Thursday and dispute the 2-1 lead in the series back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday. (SB)

(article and photo from www.pba.ph)

The scores:

TALK N' TEXT 103 - Castro 24, Reynolds 18, Fonacier 13, Williams 12, Alapag 12, Carey 8, De Ocampo 7, Reyes 3, Dillinger 2, Peek 2, Aban 2, Lao 0.

PETRON 85 - Santos 29, Grundy 23, Miranda 8, Pennisi 7, Hubalde 6, Cabagnot 5, Ildefonso 5, Guevarra 1, Salvacion 1, Baclao 0, Duncil 0.

Quarterscores: 19-27, 41-48, 71-65, 103-85