With signal loud and clear, Texters gun for 10th straight win

Talk `N Text is indeed, on a roll these days. Not only did the team registered a franchise-best nine-game winning run, it also matched the longest streak in the current PBA Fiesta Cup posted previously by defending champion San Miguel. And with a 10-2 card, the Tropang Texters are just a step behind the league-leading Beermen and on course of claiming one of two outright berths to the semifinals. For coach Chot Reyes, however, his team’s current success can well be defined on how it will be able to survive its hectic five-game schedule opposite the toughest squads in the import-laden meet. And it begins Wednesday when the league’s hottest team attempts to extend its winning streak to 10 against Rain or Shine at the Astrodome. Reyes admitted having concerns with the Elasto Painters going to their 5 p.m. meeting. “Ever since they (Elasto Painters) entered the PBA, Rain or Shine has always given this franchise (TNT) problems. They have a solid local line-up with a dominant import providing huge inside presence. We will have to play at a very high level in order to beat them," he said. His worries do have basis. The Elasto Painters (6-5) are coming off a big 84-83 win over Ginebra Sunday. And while they did lose to the Tropang Texters in the first round, the Elasto Painters almost pulled off a win before losing steam in the end, 99-96. After Rain or Shine, up next in Talk `N Text’s itinerary are Ginebra, Alaska, San Miguel Beer and Derby Ace. The Kings and the Beermen accounted for the Tropang Texters’ two losses in 12 outings. A 10th straight win allows Talk ‘N Text a share of the lead with San Miguel Beer at 11-2 (win-loss). Derby Ace, meantime, aims to get back on the winning track by seeking win no.8 against Sta. Lucia in the 7:30 p.m. main game. At 7-5, the Llamados are looking to take a piece of third spot with Ginebra, while the Realtors will try to pick up the pieces of a 4-8 card made worst by a three-game losing skein. Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio knows the Realtors are not the same team without Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, and so the Llamados’ battle-cry for the game is to stop Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson. “With Johnson, Sta. Lucia is always a dangerous foe. We must contain him at all cost," said Gregorio. With Lorenzo Wade still their import and Williams and Reyes still in their Sta. Lucia jerseys, the Llamados carved out an 86-79 win behind the 18 points of Nino Canaleta. “Getting a win versus Derby Ace is tough, but I believe in my team," said coach Boyet Fernandez, whose Realtors lost to San Miguel, 91-84, in their last outing. “The game is a big test for us. We are still trying to feel each other. But basing on our loss to SMB, I think we have improved." - RCJ, GMANews.TV