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Source: ABS-CBN News

-- The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters and the B-Meg Llamados begin their best-of-seven PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series tonight at the Araneta Coliseum in a match-up that is believed to be too close to call.

In what is their fifth straight Finals appearance, the Texters are looking to defend their Commissioner's Cup title against the Llamados, who are in the Finals for the first time since the 2009-2010 season.

Both coaches agree that each team will have its own distinct advantage over the other.

"B-Meg has the depth advantage," TNT head coach Chot Reyes told PBA.ph. "They are also fresher, as we're playing our fifth Finals in a row."

"They have the advantage in size, and we have the advantage in speed," he added.

"If they can play up-tempo, we may not have the chance," B-Meg mentor Tim Cone conceded. "But if we can slow them down, make the game ugly, then we have a chance."

Talk 'N Text is the second highest scoring team in the conference, scoring an average of 100.43 points per game, while B-meg is the best defensive team, giving up only 87.06 points per contest.

But Reyes insists that at the end of the day, the Finals will boil down to adjustments and execution.

"It will be close, and it will be about who's able to execute at the finish," he said. "The series will be won by the team that imposes its game and makes quick adjustments."

Cone, for his part, acknowledged that the Texters have the advantage in terms of experience but said his team is hungry for victory.

"The experience you gather, doing it over and over again, winning in every conceivable way makes your confidence extremely high," he said. "That's their edge. But I take that we're fresh and hungry, and we'll see how far that takes us."

In an interview with The Philippine Star, former Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman said that while both teams have a chance to win, "experience is on Talk 'N Text's side."

"If they play their game, it's hard to beat Talk 'N Text. They will try to speed it up and use 10 players in their rotation. If they shoot well from three-point distance, it will be very difficult to beat them," Toroman said.

"With all of Talk' N Text's advantage, I think B-Meg has a chance but they must slow down the game... If B-Meg can execute its system offensively and defensively, anything can happen," he added.

"B-Meg has a lot of talent in their team and they match up well against Talk 'N Text."

Toroman said that Talk 'N Text has the advantage on the inside, while B-Meg has the advantage on the perimeter.

"It's a very close call," he admitted. "Both teams have great players in different positions and the coaches (Reyes and Cone) are two of the best in the PBA."

The Texters defeated the Llamados, 102-96, in their meeting in the elimination round.