Beermen, Texters clash for early Philippine Cup lead

Watching how San Miguel demolished Air21 Friday night in the PBA Fiesta Cup, Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes made one clear conclusion. "It will take a team’s best to have a chance of beating them," he said. And that's exactly what the Tropang Texters need to do when they take on the Beermen in Sunday’s explosive main game at the Astrodome in Pasay City. Indeed, San Miguel played like a well-oiled machine in its debut in the season-opening meet, routing the rookie-laden Air21 Express, 100-86, behind Dondon Hontiveros’ hot shooting hand. Hontiveros finished with a game-high 24 points in 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. The Fiesta Cup runner-up may just be warming up, as interim coach Gee Abanilla said he expects the team to get even better as the All-Filipino tournament goes on. "I think the team is in good shape," said Abanilla, who is temporarily calling the shots for the Beermen until head coach Ato Agustin is through with his work as mentor of the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA. "We focused on strength and conditioning during the off-season. We are a work in progress. I really believe we can still improve." The Tropang Texters were just as good when they opened the season with an 87-76 demolition of defending champion B-Meg Derby Ace. Five players scored in double figures for Talk 'N Text, led by Jared Dillinger’s 18 and Ryan Reyes’ 12 points with 10 rebounds. Rookie franchise Meralco, meanwhile, seeks to follow up on its opening-day win over Barangay Ginebra when it takes on Barako Bull in the 4 p.m. curtain raiser. The Bolts stunned the Kings in the lone opening day game last week, 75-74, with MacMac Cardona’s basket in the final 32 seconds. In contrast, the Boosters are coming off an 88-64 defeat against the Alaska Aces in a game where they were in control for most of the first half. Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio, however, said one win does not make a tournament. "We may have won against Ginebra in our opening game, but it does not make us an overnight heavyweight in the power ranking," Gregorio said. “As long as our defense holds up, we have a chance to keep the score close and win it in the end." – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV