Texters gun for No. 1 spot vs determined Express

Talk ‘N Text takes a crack at the No. 1 spot in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, facing an Air21 side that is also in need of a win. The two teams clash at 5 p.m. in the first of a crucial double-header set at the Araneta Coliseum. In an equally important game, Rain or Shine meets Barangay Ginebra in the 7:30 p.m. main match. Their morale still high following a spirited 109-102 win over the Kings Friday night, the Tropang Texters hope to stretch their winning streak to five and overtake rival San Miguel for the No. 1 spot entering the playoff round of the All-Filipino tournament. A Talk ‘N Text victory will have the franchise earning the top spot in the playoffs for the second straight conference. “Can we follow-up (Friday) night’s win with another good effort (Sunday)? It’s important that we do so in preparation for the playoffs where we will play every other day," said Tropang Texters’ coach Chot Reyes. Still, being the No. 1 team going into the next round doesn’t guarantee success in the playoffs. The Tropang Texters know it by heart. In the previous Fiesta Cup conference, the franchise came up with the best record of 15-3 at the end of the eliminations, only to falter when the stakes became high, and eventually got beaten by Alaska in seven games in the semifinals. But for Talk ‘N Text to clinch the top spot, they must first hurdle an equally determined Air21 squad, which is also eyeing a better position in the playoffs. The Express enter the match fresh from a 93-87 victory last Wednesday over Rain or Shine, a win that will be put to waste should they lose to the Tropang Texters, according to coach Yeng Guiao. “Mabigat," said Guiao of their match-up against Talk ‘N Text. “But our win (against RoS) would mean nothing if we don’t win against Talk ‘N Text." A stunner by the Express over the fancied Tropang Texters will tie them with defending champion Derby Ace at 7-7. It will give Air21 a superior quotient over the Alaska Aces and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters even if both teams also finish with the same record. Air21 hopes to avoid the seventh and eight spots, which would mean needing to win twice in a row against either Talk ‘N Text or San Miguel to make it to the semifinals. The Elasto Painters are on a similar mission. Currently they own a 5-7 record and need to win against the Kings and then against the Meralco Bolts in the final day of the elimination round on Wednesday. “It’s important that we don’t allow Ginebra to get into their open-court rhythm," said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. “And we also have to match their intensity on defense." But Ginebra obviously wants to enter the playoffs on a winning note. While already out of the running for a twice-to-beat edge, the Kings are assured of ending up third in the quarterfinals and will be pitted against the sixth-ranked team in a best-of-three series to determine which ball club advances to the semis. “We should come out with a winning attitude," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV