MANILA, Philippines – Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters collide with B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados on Friday hoping to join early qualifier Smart Gilas in the semifnals with a victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters and the Llamados meet at 7:30 p.m. with the Texters gunning for their seventh straight win that will enable them to tie the Nationals for the lead at 7-1.
Clashing at 5 p.m, are Rain or Shine and Alaska Milk with the Painters of coach Yeng Guiao out to snap a four-game losing skid.
Smart-Gilas Pilipinas clinched the first automatic semis slot with a 111-104 win against Ginebra the other night – a development largely welcomed by TNT since it boosted its bid for an outright semis berth.
With that as their motivation, TNT coach Chot Reyes expects his boys to play as hard as they can since they know pretty well that the Llamados will do everything to stop them.
“It’s going to be an intense battle by one team trying to make the semis versus another trying to make the playoffs,” said Reyes, who will rely on import Paul Harris. “Who will want it more?”
A victory is equally important to B-Meg as it will solidify its bid for a playoff spot in the quarterfinals. The team is fresh from a 93-88 overtime victory over San Miguel Beer last Sunday at the Big Dome.
B-Meg’s new import Courtney Beasly, the smallest at barely 6-foot-2 after replacing Shamari Spears, debuted with 17 points and 13 rebounds against San Miguel. Last season’s MVP James Yap, who has missed three games, remains a doubtful starter.
Despite their sudden drop of form, the Painters are installed slight favorites over the Aces who will be playing minus import LD Williams.
The high-leaping Williams will serve a one-game suspension for his Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 for swinging an elbow that hit Meralco’s Mark Cardona in the head during the first quarter last Friday.
Williams, who was also fined P20,000, was immediately ejected from the game but the Aces managed to pull through a 104-101 victory as LA Tenorio fired a career-best 33 points that gave them a 5-2 card.
Alaska coach Tim Cone and assistant Joel Banal were also penalized P21,000 and P10,000, respectively, for their outburst following the ejection of Williams and apparent non-call when Cardona appeared to have poked the import in the eye.
Still, Cone remains upbeat of their chances, saying: “With or without LD, it’s just another game. We’ll be there to battle.”
To stop their bleeding, Guiao said they need their import, former NBA campaigner Hassan Adams, to step up big time after being held to only 14 points in a 95-90 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Saturday in Panabo City.
“It’s not actually the import’s fault. Of course he needs to be the leader. But it’s also a team effort. The locals should also contribute. Just like I’ve said, the mistakes we’re committing are basic basketball mistakes like missed free throws and turnovers," Guiao said.
“If we can correct these mistakes, we have a good chance to win. We do have an advantage with an import-less Alaska, but we have to come out strong because Alaska knows how to win even without Williams,” he added.
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
