PBA opens 34th Season, Talk N Text escapes Coca Cola

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia's first pay-for-play basketball league ushered its 34th season at the Araneta Coliseum with a new broadcasting partner CS9.

Talk N Text opened up the KFC Philippine Cup what used to be called All Filipino Conference with an escape win over Coca Cola 98 -97.


Pokwang (muse of Coca Cola) stole the thunder of the traditional parade of teams and muses with her comedic entrance and highlighted by the crown in her head during the opening ceremonies. Makisig Morales meanwhile had a little booboo in introducing Joaqui Trillo, this years's PBA Chairman. Chairman Trillo officially opened the games.

In the opening game, Talk N Text survived a Coca Cola comeback 98 - 97 for a good start at the KFC Philippine Cup. The Tropang Texter lead most of the game reaching 18 at one juncture before Coca Cola unleashed a furious rally.

Ronjay Buenafe tied the game with a trey time down to 1:20 left. 92 - 92. Cardona answered back with a twinner before Buenafe converted on another trey to help Coca Cola take the lead 95 - 94.

Big man Yancy de Ocampo nailed his own trey as the bottlers regained the lead 97 - 95 with only 35 seconds left in the game.

Cabagnot then sank two free throws to tie the game for the last time with still 32.2 seconds.

In a bizaare turn of events, Coca Cola was able to get back the possession in the next play. Asi Taulava recovered the ball from a loose ball scramble and called a time out.

Unfortunately, they don't have a full time out left - only a 30 second one. As the rules would have it, a time out called on the court of the opposing team is considered a full time -out. Thus, Coca Cola were given a technical foul.

Jimmy Alapag converted the free throw that proved to be the winning point. Coca cola failed to make a basket in the final possession and Taulava's put back was nullified because time already expired.

What a way to start the season