Resurgent Beermen battle fading Texters

ONE team is on a great surge, the other on an alarming tailspin.

That’s where powerhouses San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text are at right now going into their clash in a crucial stage of the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations today at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Game time is 7 p.m. with the Beermen trying to creep closer to a top-four finish and the Tropang Texters seeking to arrest a three-game skid.

Alaska battles Meralco in the 4:15 p.m. contest that is also crucial for both the Aces and the Bolts. Alaska is in third spot at 5-2 and needs a win to bolster its bid of gaining a twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bolts, coming off their first winning streak, will be gunning for a victory that would put them safely in the quarterfinals.

San Miguel has been the hottest team in the tournament, with its last loss coming more than a month ago.

Import Arizona Reid has been a perfect fit for the Beermen, who are also drawing inspired performances from a host of locals led by former MVPs June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos and a battery of crack wingmen led by Marcio Lassiter.

Talk ‘N Text can easily match up man-for-man with San Miguel. Problem is, the pieces haven’t fallen into place for the Tropang Texters of late.

Jason Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo remain to be the Texters’ top guns. The duo is playing well but has been getting inconsistent support from the others.

Imports Steffphon Pettigrew and Sam Daghles are struggling and proof of that was their failure to save Talk ‘N Text from a second-half implosion in Bacolod last Saturday where the squad scored just 30 second-half points against Rain or Shine to lose for the third straight game.

Talk ‘N Text, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion seeking a second straight title, is at 3-4 and needs to win this one badly if it hopes to stay in the fight for a top-four finish.