Talk ‘N Text, Rain or Shine begin semis series

TALK ‘N TEXT’S Jimmy Alapag (left) will be a vital cog in the Tropang Texters’ campaign. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao wants one thing for his Elasto Painters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup: To be the conference’s best five.

And he has no illusions as to what he and his Painters need to do to achieve that. “We want to be the best, but in order to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Guiao said Saturday night, moments after clinching a Final Four seat in the import-spiced conference against undefeated Talk ‘N Text.

The Tropang Texters have strung up 10 wins, and they will put that streak on the line against the dangerous Painters at 8 p.m. Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao with both looking for the headstart in their best-of-five duel.

Rain or Shine started the conference cold, but with Wayne Chism shaping up to be a formidable import after all, the Painters seem to have the compete tools to battle the formidable Texters for a seat in the Finals.

San Mig Coffee, the No. 6 seed, and Air21, the seventh-ranked squad which bundled out powerhouse San Miguel Beer last week, are in the other Final Four pairing. That series starts Tuesday also at 8 p.m. at the Big Dome.

“The boys have been working hard, the assistant coaches have been working hard, and we will be going up against the best team in Talk ‘N Text,” Guiao said. “We’re taking it as a challenge.”

Chism has erased all first impressions of him with a great playoff series, shooting 37 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in a 97-96 overtime victory in their KO match with Meralco on Saturday.

PROLIFIC Paul Lee of Rain or Shine (front) battles Jared Dillinger or Meralco for possession. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

His performance of late—coming after almost laughable efforts in his first two games in the league —has certainly made pundits declare that Rain or Shine can go out mano-a-mano against the equally loaded Texters.

Richard Howell has been very consistent for coach Norman Black, and is the favorite to win the conference’s Best Import plum.

Both coaches talk highly of their imports, and Howell-Chism is obviously a great matchup.

Howell is a workhorse like Chism, who has shown the ability to score and, like Howell, allows his teammates in on the action.

Another interesting matchup to look forward to is Jason Castro-Paul Lee, with both point guards practically playing the same way.

No team has the edge as far as frontline rotation is concerned, with Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez and Raymond Almazan manning the inside for the Painters.

Ryan Reyes of Talk ‘N Text and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine will be tasked to man the best local offensive players on their opposite side.