PBA: Texters stake clean slate vs Bolts

TALK ‘N Text spitfires Jimmy Alapag (3) and Jason Castro will be Meralco’s biggest worries in tonight’s Commissioner’s Cup match. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Talk N’ Text seeks a fifth straight win—and more distance from the field in the race for the No. 1 spot—when the Tropang Texters clash with the Meralco Bolts Friday in the eliminations of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Gametime is 5:45 p.m. with  the Texters hoping to secure this early a slot in the next  round, notwithstanding the number of games still left in their schedule.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra tries to get back on track after two straight losses when it collides with winless Globalport at 8 p.m.

The Texters, one of the two unbeaten teams in the tournament, have defeated some of the more formidable sides in the tournament, including  hulking San Miguel Beer by displaying great team effort thus far.

“The goal (against Meralco) is to continue to play solid basketball on both offense and defense,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said. “Our concerns would be on how to contain (import Brian) Butch and to defend (against) their three-point shooting.”

Butch has been playing well for the Bolts but is mainly a perimeter player whose inside defense will be tested in this game.

Butch can also create match-up problems for Black because of his deadly outside game. He can hit the three-point shot which would cause the Talk ‘N Text defense to open up.

Richard Howell has been the perfect complement to Talk ‘N Text’s star-studded local crew, never wanting the ball unless he needs to while manning the shaded lane with great effect.

He will be the man to stop as far as the Bolts are concerned, since Meralco doesn’t have someone who is as big and as wide that would be willing to bang bodies inside.

“They are hot, they have been playing well on both ends of the floor, so it’s critical for us to disrupt their offensive rhythm,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said. “We must be able to handle Jason (Castro) and Jimmy (Alapag). They have been doing a tremendous job controlling the tempo.