Texters seek top rank vs Mixers

JIMMY Alapag, shown here guarding Meralco’s AJ Caram, will again set the tempo of the Texters’ offense along with Jason Castro. EDWIN BELLOSILLO

MANILA, Philippines — Talk N’ Text goes for a seventh straight win—and the No. 1 ranking in the playoffs—when the red-hot Tropang Texters battle San Mig Coffee Mixers even as Rain or Shine tries to boost its stock in the eliminations of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Gametime is 8 p.m. with the Texters installed as the solid picks after getting a much-needed break for a week.

A win by the Texters would give them top ranking after San Miguel Beer was upset by Alaska on Saturday night  since the worst record that Talk ‘N Text could end up with in this round is 7-2.

The Texters have already beaten the Beermen and, by prevailing over the Mixers, would own the winner-over-the-other rule in case Talk ‘N Text finishes tied at 7-2 with any of those teams at the close of their preliminary round schedules.

Richard Howell is looking like the best import in the lot despite not-so-eye-popping numbers, playing sweet music with his local teammates by doing all that an import needs for a loaded squad like Talk ‘N Text.

“We don’t need him to score so many points because we have the locals to do that for us,” coach Norman Black said last week. “What we want him to do is go after those rebounds and help us defend.”

The Mixers, meanwhile, will be coming off their first loss of the conference and would need this win badly in order to stay at No. 2.

Earlier, the Elasto Painters, who stopped their slide with an impressive win over the Meralco Bolts last week, gun for only their third win at 5:45 p.m. against Globalport, still winless in six games.

The top two squads after the elimination round get twice-to-beat privileges against Nos. 8 and 7, respectively, that’s why finishing on top of the heap carries much importance.

James Mays will have to at least offset what Howell will do for the Texters, with James Yap and Peter June Simon to anchor the San Mig offense.

Marc Pingris will play a pivotal role yet again for the defense of San Mig goes wherever the national team stalwart heads. Kelly Williams has the same role with the Texters, who will try to shut down Yap and Simon using Ryan Reyes and even Jason Castro.

Castro, meanwhile, will be a match-up problem as far as San Mig coach Tim Cone is concerned since the wily point guard can use his speed against bigger guards or dominate smaller foes.