Defending champion Talk ’N Text collides with crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel Wednesday as the two ball clubs press their bids for one of two outright semifinals berths in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters and the Kings clash at 7:30 p.m., right after the 5 p.m. encounter between Sta. Lucia Realty and Rain or Shine.
Purefoods, on the other hand, takes on the Smart-Gilas national team in an exhibition game at 2:30 p.m. This will be the last stint by the Nationals as a guest team in the PBA in preparation for various tournaments like the Asian Games this December in Guangzhou, China and the FIBA-Asia Championship next year, the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.
Both Ginebra and TNT are coming off big wins to end year 2009.
The Texters downed the Realtors, 117-112, last Dec. 23 to improve their record to 10-5 behind the Alaska Aces (11-2) and San Miguel Beer (12-3) while the Kings beat the Coca-Cola Tigers, 106-97, on Christmas Day.
Ginebra’s win forced a two-way tie for fourth place with Purefoods at 9-6, followed by Sta. Lucia with a 7-6 card.
The Realtors have still a legitimate shot for one of two automatic berths, but to do so, they have to win their remaining five games, including against the Elasto Painters, who have been emboldened by their 88-72 win over Barako Bull last Dec. 23.
The third to fifth finishers after the classification phase will move to the quarterfinals automatically with the sixth to ninth placers playing in a crossover knockout wildcard phase. The last finisher after the classification round will be eliminated from the playoffs.
In their first round meeting, TNT scored a convincing 87-72 victory as Ginebra played without injured superstars Jayjay Helterbrand – the reigning Most Valuable Player – and Mark Caguioa.
Helterbrand and Caguioa, both nursing knee injuries, won’t play anew for the most popular squad in the league.
But even without the dynamic duo, TNT mentor Chot Reyes considers Ginebra a tough assignment with the likes of Ronald Tubid, Cyrus Baguio, JC Intal and even the comebacking Johnny Abarrientos expected to step up.
“After two weeks off, we couldn’t ask for a bigger game to stat the New Year,” Reyes said. “We can’t wait to play again, and I’m sure, they’re just as eager.”
Reyes said that though veteran playmaker Jimmy Alapag and sophomore wingman Jared Dillinger were hampered by injuries last month, the two will be ready to play against the Kings although not in full strength.
As for the Sta. Lucia-Rain or Shine game, the Realtors will try to rebound from that setback to the Texters as they eye a repeat against the Elasto Painters, whom they downed in overtime in the first round 95-90.
“We had three good practices, so now we have to translate it to the game. We need to start the year with a win to get our confidence back. We have to compete against SLR in order for us to win,” said coach Caloy Garcia.
Games January 6 (Araneta Coliseum)
2:30PM — Smart-Gilas vs Purefoods
5:00PM — Sta. Lucia vs Rain or Shine
7:30PM — Talk ’N Text vs Ginebra
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