THE Petron Blaze Boosters are ready to rumble with a Talk ‘N Text crew they would treat as a “complete” team in their semifinal series of the 2011 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.

Boosters head coach Ato Agustin said he is preparing his wards with a mindset of facing a healthy Tropang Texters in Game One of their best-of-seven series on January 5 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

“Basta kami handa kami. Kumpleto man sila o hindi. Pero ang mindset namin kumpleto sila kapag nag-start na ang series,” said Agustin, as he renews his controversial rivalry with Talk ‘N Text counterpart Chot Reyes.

Ali Peek, with a bullet still lodged in his neck, remains a doubtful starter—although he only needs an absolute clearance from his doctors to play.

The six-foot-four burly center missed seven games after being shot by an unidentified assailant on November 7 in Mandaluyong City. Despite his condition, he is on the team’s active list.

Talk ‘N Text’s early entry in the semifinals gave Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Peek, Jared Dillinger and Ranidel de Ocampo time to recuperate from injuries.

But the Boosters are unfazed, especially Agustin, who is confident they could hurdle the Tropang Textes anew in what is considered a return bout of last season’s Governors’ Cup finals which Petron won.

“We will be ready. Kailangan lang namin ma-contain ang transition game nila at ma-match ang energy level,” he said. “And our big men must double their efforts both on offense and defense especially kung maglalaro si Ali.”

Petron is also missing Anthony Washington and Rabeh al-Hussaini to injuries. Dondon Hontiveros played only once in the eliminations before suffering an ACL.

Picking up the scoring cudgels for the Boosters are Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Dennis Miranda, Joseph Yeo and rookie Chris Lutz, who was sensational in the eliminations. Veteran center Danny Ildefonso and Rob Reyes are also helping the team on the defensive end.

“Kulang kami but we’re playing as a team kaya mukhang malakas,” said Agustin. “And we have to continue working hard in the series.”

The Boosters denied the Tropang Texters a rare grand slam last season after winning the season-ending Governors’ Cup. They are now out to deny the same team the opportunity to match Great Taste’s 1985 league record of repeating as all-Filipino champion.

(Joel Orellana)