MANILA—Talk ‘N Text tries to bounce back from a stinging upset loss two nights ago when the Tropang Texters battle a B-Meg side clinging to dear life in the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA
The Texters will try again to inch closer to the first Finals seat in the 5:30 p.m. game and oust the Llamados from further contention even as Alaska and Barangay Ginebra dispute temporary second place in the 7:45 p.m. contest.
At 7-3, the Texters are a full game up on the Aces, the Gin Kings and idle Petron Blaze as they try to boost their campaign to complete just the league’s fifth Grand Slam.
Talk ‘N Text will be coming off a 15-point loss at the hands of idle Rain or Shine Wednesday night, which coach Chot Reyes attributed to the lukewarm effort of the Texters.
“We lost because we got outworked. That’s it,” Reyes said.
The Llamados, at 5-5 with three games to go, need to sweep their remaining outings and get a chance at fighting for a seat in the best-of-seven title series.
Myron Allen, James Yap and Peter June Simon will be the key men for B-Meg while Scottie Reynolds, with just 18 points and 11 rebounds on Wednesday, is expected to start at guard for the Texters.
Ginebra is also seeking to redeem itself from an uncharacteristic loss also Wednesday night, when the Gin Kings, despite holding a 28-point third quarter lead, fell to sister team Petron, 96-88, in overtime.
It was one of the biggest – if not the biggest – foldups of the season, and the Kings paid dearly as they missed gaining a share of the lead with the Texters.
Meanwhile, Smart-Gilas stalwarts Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz have declared themselves available for the Rookie Draft slated to be held next month at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita.
They are expected to dispute the top overall selection unless others from the National pool like homegrown talents Chris Tiu and JV Casio ultimately decide to turn professional.
Either Powerade or the Air21 Express will own the No. 1 pick in the Aug. 29 draft.