SMB eyes vengeance vs TNT; Ginebra seeks No. 6

By: 14 years ago

MANILA—San Miguel Beer tries to avenge one of its only two losses today and stay in the lead of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations when the Beermen clash with an equally formidable Talk ‘N Text side at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Beermen and the Tropang Texters take the floor at 7:30 p.m. shortly after Barangay Ginebra guns for a tournament-record sixth straight win against lowly Barako Bull in the 5 p.m. contest.

San Miguel will have the edge in its return bout with the Texters, who will be without Kelly Williams, the high-flying 6-foot-7 forward who is on loan to the Smart-Gilas national team in the Asian Games.

Coach Chot Reyes also won’t be around as he is serving as consultant to Serbian Rajko Toroman in Guangzhou.

“It is also like good parenting, when you can send your kids off to something without your supervision,” Reyes said last week after an 84-83 win over the Energy Boosters.

Nash Racela will call the shots for the Texters, who will be giving up something in the paint in the absence of Williams.

Dondon Hontiveros, Jay Washington, Alex Cabagnot and the rejuvenated Danny Seigle will be the main men for San

Miguel, which won five straight games under Ato Agustin after taking an 83-97 loss to Talk ’N Text with Gee Abanilla at the helm.

Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes and Jason Castro can be expected to make it a running game for the Texters to make up for their disadvantage in size.

The Gin Kings, meanwhile, will try to keep their streak going against a Barako Bull side that has lost its last three games, including an 81-94 decision to the Beermen last week.

A win by Ginebra coupled by a Talk ‘N Text victory will give the Kings a share of the lead.

Willie Miller and Mark Caguioa will lead the Kings, with Eric Menk expected to play longer minutes after coming back from a knee injury Sunday night in a 78-69 victory over Alaska.