Jason Castro and Jared Dillinger may miss the Texters’ 5 p.m. game against the Bolts because of troublesome ankle and shoulder, respectively.

“We are playing a team with two of the league’s best local scorers (Mark Cardona and Sol Mercado) without our top two defenders,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes said. “Plus the unknown factor of a new import (for the Bolts) makes the game a tough one for us.”

Meralco will parade a new import in Chamberlain Oguchi, 24, who replaced Tony Danridge.

A former member of the Nigerian national team, Oguchi last played in the NBA D-League (Maine Red Claws).

“We’re finding ways to win,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said. “It is a very slow start for us, but the plan is to recover, get on the right track. We will continue to persevere. The decision to change import is brought about by immediate need.”

The Bolts have lost against Ginebra, Rain or Shine (92-101) and to San Miguel, 89-90, on last-second follow-up shot by Ira Brown last week.

Talk ‘N Text (1-2), on the other hand is gunning for its third straight win.

Clashing in the 7:30 p.m. headliner are Barangay Ginebra (1-2) and Powerade (1-3) two teams taking the floor with identical mission: End a two-game skid.

After winning their debut game almost three weeks ago in Laoag City, the Kings dropped two straight – to the Alaska Aces (95-94) last Feb. 27, and to the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados (96-89) last Sunday.

Despite the defeats, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico is unfazed.

“We need to play better and harder,” said Uichico, who will rely anew on import Nate Brumfield, as well as local mainstays Willie Miller, Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid, Mike Cortez, Rudy Hatfield and Rico Villanueva.

The Kings will face a Powerade squad also coming off two consecutive losses, first to TNT (80-94) and to unbeaten Rain or Shine (92-102) last week.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin