Texters take on Tigers; Bolts seek payback vs Boosters

Looking to keep in step with Barangay Ginebra in what is turning out to be an exciting race for the twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, Talk ‘N Text seeks a crucial victory against skidding Powerade in Wednesday’s main game at the Araneta Coliseum. The 7:30 p.m. match is the first in the Tropang Texters’ final four games in the eliminations — games that are all crucial. They are in a serious hunt for the No.2 spot, with only a game separating them and the Gin Kings. The Tropang Texters are in solo third place with a 7-3 card, while the Gin Kings carry an 8-2 mark. San Miguel currently leads the standings with a 10-2 record and seems likely to claim the first slot for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. “We must want it (win) more than them," said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes, who assumes the head coaching job after he was loaned to the Smart-Gilas national team to the 16th Asian Games basketball competition in Guangzhou, China. Like the Tropang Texters, the Tigers are treating the game with a sense of urgency. Powerade finds itself on the brink of elimination after losing five straight games. The team is at the lower half of the standings with a 3-8 card. But Powerade coach Bo Perasol remains confident his team will arrest the skid. “Our collective agreement is to make sure that we fight on as a team," he said. “We will go through our struggles together" In the first game, Meralco seeks payback against Barako Bull in a 5 p.m. encounter. The Bolts will stake a four-game winning run, but foremost in their minds is the 56-66 setback it experienced against the lowly Energy Boosters the first time they met. Ryan Gregorio, the eloquent Meralco coach, believes his team has learned its lessons well. “We learned a stinging lesson in our first meeting," said Gregorio. “We want to make sure our mistakes are rectified. But in my book, Barako is still a team you cannot dismiss." The Bolts tote a 5-7 record, good enough to be in the middle of the pack. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV