Texters, Aces gun for third wins today

MANILA—Alaska and Talk ‘N Text try to keep their share of the PBA Philippine Cup lead when they clash with separate foes today at the Cuneta Astrodome. The Aces, the reigning Fiesta Conference champions who were swept in four games by Derby Ace in the Finals here last season, take the floor first at 5 p.m. against Rain or Shine with both squads coming off just a day’s rest after posting victories Wednesday night. Talk ‘N Text tangles for the first time with sister squad Meralco with everything pointing to a third straight victory by the Tropang Texters. The Bolts  suffered a shock loss to lowly Barako Bull last Sunday. “I think it was a wake-up call for us,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said after his squad was held to just nine fourth-quarter points by the Energy Boosters. “But it can go both ways—we could either be awakened by that or we go the other way.” The Meralco loss came after the new franchise outdid itself by toppling crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra in the inaugurals two weeks ago, and Gregorio said the setback couldn’t have come at a better time. “Maybe their (his players’) confidence got a little too high (after the Ginebra win),” Gregorio said. Talk ‘N Text is the favorite not only because Meralco lost the last time out, but the Texters look primed for this win after steamrolling their way past a powerhouse squad in San Miguel, 97-83, also last Sunday. Alaska, meanwhile, looks like it is peaking at the right time, and this clash against the Elasto Painters gives coach Tim Cone a realistic gauge of how prepared his team is at the moment. The Aces won their first two games, but Cone was quick to point out that the first came against a Barako Bull crew that is not highly regarded, and the second against the walking-wounded defending champion Llamados. “We’re coming around, though we’re not where we want to be,” he continued. “But we are making steps in the right direction and we are taking advantage of the opportunities that have been coming our way.” There wasn’t a bigger opportunity than Wednesday night, when Derby Ace, for the second consecutive game, was without big men Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis and Kerby Raymundo. “We just need to pile up the wins while we can,” Cone said.