Texters, E-Painters favored over rivals

Defending champion Talk ‘N Text shoots for a second straight win and a share of the early PBA Philippine Cup lead today when the Tropang Texters battle newcomer Globalport at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is 5:15 p.m. with the Texters heavily favored to pin a third straight loss on the Batang Pier, even as Rain or Shine tries to bounce back from a narrow loss in its clash with Air21 at 7:30 p.m.

The Texters will be coming into the match fresh from a week’s break after hacking out a 112-110 overtime decision of sister squad Meralco.

Talk ‘N Text blew a 22-point fourth quarter lead in that game.

Gary David, last season’s scoring champion, has struggled from the field in the first two games for the Batang Pier, who are being led offensively by former two-time MVP Willie Miller.

Globalport coaching staff led by Glenn Capacio benched former No. 2 pick Rabeh Al-Hussaini in their last game as a disciplinary action for arguing with David in their first game against Ginebra.

The Elasto Painters bowed to the league-leading Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings last Sunday in a game where commissioner Chito Salud suspended referee Jun Marabe for a bum call in the stretch.

The Painters are tipped as the slight favorites against the Express, who broke into the win column with an 88-81 decision of the Batang Pier, also on Sunday.

Rain or Shine will still be without Paul Lee and possibly rookie Chris Tiu, who pulled a hamstring in the first half of his first game as a professional last week.

Gabe Norwood will be asked to man the point more often by coach Yeng Guiao for the Painters in the absence of the two sentinels with Beau Belga and JR Quiñahan to man the middle for the reigning Governors’ Cup champions.

Jeff Chan has been the biggest offensive weapon for Guiao in their first two games, with Norwood his best stopper.

Chan should be a marked man tonight if the Express hope to derail the Painters for a second straight night.