Tropang Texters’ offense primary concern for Burger King

MANILA, Philippines - Will Talk `N Text show up with a new import in Rashad Bell when it takes on Burger King Wednesday in the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup? For Whoppers mentor Yeng Guiao it doesn’t matter. “Okay lang (if TNT has new import). It could be an advantage or disadvantage for us. It’s up to them because their import had just come off a great game. They’re taking the risk. That’s not our problem. What we’re concerned about more is their offense," Guiao said. No word has yet been sent by Talk `N Text to the Commissioner’s Office regarding its plan to replace current import Gary Forbes. But Bell has already planed in Tuesday afternoon from Hungary where he played for the Albacomp-UPC Szekesfehervar team, averaging 22 points in 28 games. He was the Tropang Texters’ original choice of import before Tiras Wade and Forbes. It was only recently, however, that he became free to play. Bell was a former Coca-Cola reinforcement who played for only three games in the quarterfinal round. But in those games, he surely showcased his scoring might to a point where he was nearly impossible to stop. But junking Forbes for Bell at this stage of the tournament would be a big risk the Texters will be making especially in the light of Forbes’ 34-point performance in Talk `N Text’s 103-100 win over Coca-Cola in Bohol last Saturday. Burger King is currently tied in a four-way logjam at second place with defending champion Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine and Purefoods, all with identical 7-5 cards. The Texters meanwhile, are within the .500 mark with a 6-6 card. In the first game, streaking Rain or Shine takes on lowly-ranked Barako Bull in a game Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia said would be a tough one for his team despite the Energy Drinkers being at the bottom of the standings. “It’s not an easy game for us," admitted Garcia. “Barako Bull right now has no pressure at all. The pressure is on us. Hindi pa kami napupunta sa ganitong stage." Rain or Shine had beaten in succession league leader San Miguel (82-78) and Talk N Text (118-116), making it heavily favored to hurdle past the Barako Bull (2-10). A win by both Burger King and Rain or Shine will move them within arm’s reach of gaining a crack at a playoff for an outright semi-finals berth. –GMANews.TV