PBA: Gin Kings, Texters dispute No.2 q'finals slot

Barangay Ginebra and Talk `N Text clash Friday night in the most important game so far for both teams in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations. At stake in the 7:30 p.m. encounter at the Araneta Coliseum is a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals for the winner. The loser automatically has to go through a best-of-three series against another team in the next round. The Kings and Tropang Texters are currently tied at second place with identical 9-3 cards. So far, only San Miguel Beer (11-3) is assured of a Top Two berth in the quarterfinals. But the Beermen still have to await the outcome of the Ginebra-Talk `N Text match, as it may also determine their fate. The Beermen will clinch the no. 1 spot if Ginebra sweeps its last two games. But it slips to second place if Talk ‘N Text ends the elimination round with the same record San Miguel has. “This will be our most crucial game thus far," admitted Talk `N Text coach Chot Reyes. “The key in this game is how we will be able to penetrate the Kings’ tough defense as they’ve been playing the best ‘D’ in the league." The Kings and Tropang Texters are both enjoying winning streaks. Ginebra won consecutive games over defending champion Derby Ace, 89-86, and Powerade, 84-81, while Talk `N Text is on a three-game roll, capped by its come-from-behind victory over Rain or Shine, 86-81, in Davao del Sur over the weekend. The match-up is the first and only one between the two ball clubs as they belong to the same group. Derby Ace, meanwhile, gun for a victory in the first game against Barako Bull. A win by the Power Boosters will assure them of a seat in the playoffs. The 5 p.m. match is the second in three days for the Llamados, who are coming off a 92-73 rout of Meralco Bolts Wednesday. Already out of the running in the tournament, the Energy Boosters (2-11) won't be easy picking, according to Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent. “We cannot take Barako Bull for granted," admitted Gallent. “Their standing is not a clear reflection of how they play. They’ve been losing games by minimal margins, and we can’t afford to treat them lightly." A win by the Llamados would mean a spot between fourth and sixth, which would mean better prospects than for those that land in the seventh and eighth positions now being avoided by other teams seeking playoff berths. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV