MATT Ganuelas-Rosser (right) drives off Blackwater’s Bryan Faundo as the Texters post only their fourth win on Independence Day. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Powerhouse Talk ‘N Text and newcomer KIA Motors clash for a quarterfinal berth to Friday as the PBA Governors’ Cup enters its final five elimination playdates at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Game time is 7 p.m. with the Tropang Texters exhausting their last chance to advance while breaking in a new import in Dominique Sutton against Hamady N’Diyae and the rest of the upset-conscious Carnival.
Talk ‘N Text has struggled in this conference, losing four straight games at one point for a 4-6 card coming into today’s crucial clash.
KIA is looking to crash the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Sutton played for the defunct Air21 a couple of years back and will take the place of the ineffective Steffphon Pettigrew.
Meanwhile, NLEX tries to cling to its wafer-thin chance of making it to the next round when the Road Warriors battle ousted Blackwater in the 7 p.m. main game.
The Road Warriors are at 2-7 and need to beat Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra (4-6) at the close of the eliminations on Wednesday to keep their hopes of qualifying alive.
As things stand, leader San Miguel Beer is assured of a twice-to-beat privilege, while Alaska still has two games left and can even claim No. 1 seeding with a sweep.
Rain or Shine, Globalport and skidding Barako Bull are also in the quarterfinals at 6-4, with Meralco also assured of advancing and with a small chance at a twice-to-beat bonus.
Rain or Shine battles Meralco on Sunday while Barako Bull slugs it out with defending champion Star with the Elasto Painters and the Energy eyeing potential top four berths.
Globalport plays Alaska on Tuesday and a win by the Aces would give them the second twice-to-beat privilege—if they fail to get it on Saturday against the Beermen in Panabo.
If Alaska wins over San Miguel, it can lose to Globalport and still wind up with the No. 1 seeding over the Beermen by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule.
A Texters loss will virtually oust them, more so if Star wins over the Energy on Saturday.