New-look Texters zero guns vs Mixers
KG Canaleta of Air21 (dark) vs JR Quinahan of Rain or Shine (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text beat Monday’s trade deadline and acquired one of the deadliest outside shooters in the PBA today, giving up two players and a Draft right for KG Canaleta in time for the Tropang Texters’ quarterfinal showdown with San Mig Coffee in the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup.
The 6-foot-5 Canaleta, a former five-time Slam Dunk champion who has developed a nifty three-point shot over the years, becomes the second veteran tabbed by the Texters this conference as they try to win the all-Filipino title a record fourth straight season.
In giving up Canaleta, Air21 got Fil-American Sean Anthony and rookie Eliud Poligrates and the Texters’ 2016 first-round pick.
Canaleta averaged close to 17 points a game with the Express.
Danny Seigle was the first veteran acquired in the off-season by the Texters, who clash with the Mixers in Game 1 of what is tipped to be a very close best-of-three series starting Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
That game is slated at 8 p.m., shortly after Petron Blaze locks horns with Barako Bull in a similar race-to-two affair at 5:45 p.m.
Talk ‘N Text qualified as the fourth seed in these playoffs after routing league-leader Barangay Ginebra on Sunday for an 8-6 record, while the Mixers won their last four games of the eliminations to salvage fifth with a 7-7 card.
The Boosters, who opened the season with seven straight wins, bagged third seeding and drew the No. 6 Energy, a side loaded with veterans who have the size to match up with Petron.
Canaleta went 32-for-106 with the Express before they bowed out this conference, and coach Norman Black can certainly use an additional outside gun to complement Larry Fonacier and former MVP Jimmy Alapag.
Talk ‘N Text—unlike the Gin Kings— made sure they would go into the playoffs with a winning feeling.
Ginebra, which faces Alaska, finished the elimination round with an 11-3 record.
But being blown off the court in its last game could have an effect on the Gin Kings’ collective psyches.
Rain or Shine finished No. 2 and will play Globalport Wednesday.
The Aces booked the last quarterfinals ticket after knocking off Meralco, 94-91, in a playoff Monday night.
