Talk ‘N Text, KIA gun for third wins

LEO AVENIDO (left) of KIA Motors draws a foul from Talk ‘N Text’s Ranidel de Ocampo on the way to the basket. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

TALK ‘N TEXT and KIA Motors gun for second straight victories against cellar-dwelling foes Tuesday as they seek a share of second place in the elimination round of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

The Carnival take the floor first at 4:15 p.m. against fellow rookie team Blackwater, before the Tropang Texters slug it out with sister squad NLEX in the 7 p.m. game.

Eyeing a follow-up to its upset of Barangay Ginebra, KIA is tagged as the slight favorite over the Elite who, like the Carnival, are also looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in the league.

Blackwater is at 1-3 but showed that it can win tough matches.

The Elite also own a win over the Gin Kings and would like nothing less than another victory to climb out of the basement they share with the Road Warriors and powerhouses Rain or Shine and defending champion Star.

This being a short elimination round, wins that come early could count the most in the end. Only the top eight teams will march past the eliminations. The lower half of the teams that will advance will have to beat higher-ranked foes two straight times to move on.

Ties will be resolved via the quotient system.

Talk ‘N Text is expected to play top point guard Jason Castro after a three-game absence, making the Texters even more formidable.

Ranidel de Ocampo, the Finals MVP in the Commissioner’s Cup, made his return last week and helped the Texters survive the gritty Aces. Only Kevin Alas and defensive ace Aaron Aban remain in sick bay for Talk ‘N Text.

Kwame Alexander has been a solid presence for NLEX, which will be a lot better once Syrian import Michael Madanly gets healthier.

Madanly, who led the scoring in the Fiba Asia Championship in 2007, got hurt in NLEX’s first game and hasn’t been the same since.

Meanwhile, Joseph Yeo was named the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week after scoring 28 points against Meralco in a 105-99 victory and helping Barako Bull stay unbeaten on Sunday night.