Texters shoot for 2-0 buffer

Jason Castro of Talk N Text (light) vs Beau BElga of Rain or Shine (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — The rugged and colorful PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four series between Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine resumes Wednesday with the Tropang Texters seeking a 2-0 lead that would keep their perfect tournament going at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Game time is 8 p.m. with the odds just about even, though the Tropang Texters will be coming off a 91-85 series-opening win that was marred by a heated verbal tussle at midcourt between

Talk ‘N Text import Richard Howell and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao with just seconds left in the game.

“We expect it to be like this (tight game) the rest of the series,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said. “We have to keep our emotions in check, learn to focus on playing basketball.”

Guiao and Howell were both summoned by league commissioner Chito Salud Tuesday after that ugly incident, where Guiao alleged that Howell called him a “bitch.”

The referees who worked that game face suspensions after they failed to spot Jimmy Alapag’s left foot already out of bounds when the Talk ‘N Text guard came up with a crucial save of possession.

That play actually triggered the altercation, as Howell crossed the path of Guiao while the coach was busy arguing his point to league officials during dead ball.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Cariaso seems headed to Barangay Ginebra as the Gin Kings’ new coach vice Ato Agustin.

A reliable source who requested anonymity said that once San Mig Coffee’s stint this conference is over, Cariaso will take over the reins of the Gin Kings.

He will reportedly take Olsen Racela as his assistant. Cariaso is an assistant to Tim Cone, like Racela, at San Mig.

“One thing is for sure, we feel that we can beat this team,” Guiao said minutes after the Game 1 loss, a game which they controlled almost 90 percent of the way.

Another win by the Texters would match the franchise’s longest winning streak.

Rain or Shine, on the other hand, will be gunning for a win that would keep their own streak alive—and that is to make a title series appearance for the third straight conference.