TALK ’N TEXT topped the elimination round for the third-straight conference but confronting head coach Chot Reyes and his staff is how to keep the Tropang Texters in shape while they await their next assignment—which will be some two weeks from now.
“There’s a fine line of getting them bored or tiring them out and keeping them in shape,” said Reyes. “But eventually, it’s the players’ drive and motivation that will keep them motivated the next few weeks.”
The Texters clinched the No. 1 seed in the semifinal round of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup after toppling Barangay Ginebra, 102-99, on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
As top seeds, the Tropang Texters will have to deal with the long break to stay in shape for the best-of-five semifinal wars.
“I really wanted them to play hard because the next time we will play is either on April 13 or 15,” said Reyes, whose wards ended the nine-game elimination phase with eight straight wins.
“And it’s nice to hear that [third-straight conference as No. 1 in the elimination], but it doesn’t really count unless we are able to sustain our charge all the way to win the tournament,” he added.
The Texters dropped a 103-98 decision to the Nationals on February 25 but won their next eight matches to grab the No. 1 seeding. The Nationals (7-2), who absorbed an 87-91 overtime loss to Meralco on Saturday, settled for the No. 2 position.
The two teams await the results of the quarterfinal matchups, which have yet to be determined at this point because two more games will still be played on Wednesday, the result of which would determine the rankings.
Already assured of quarterfinal stints are Alaska (5-3), Ginebra (5-4) and Rain or Shine (4-4). San Miguel Beer (1-7), Powerade (2-7) and Meralco (3-6) are already ousted, while Air21 (4-4) and B-MEG Derby Ace (4-5) are battling for the last quarterfinal slot.
“Sa mga natitira naman, wala kang pagpipilian,” said Reyes. “We just have to be ready whoever comes our way.”
The Tropang Texters will be shooting for their second-straight crown minus Jared Dillinger who has been declared out the rest of the tournament because of a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the league reversed the schedule for the games on Wednesday. Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer will play in the opener at 5 p.m. and Air21 will meet Alaska at 7:30 p.m. The Express need to win to advance to the quarterfinals.
Joel Orellana, Business Mirror
