League-leading Talk N’ Text seeks 9th win vs struggling Tigers

Games today

Araneta Coliseum

6:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Rain or Shine

4:00 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Powerade

The defending champions Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters look to pad their amazing run when they tangle with the embattled Powerade Tigers today in the main game of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Despite missing several key players such as Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Aaron Aban and Ali Peek, the Texters remained unstoppable and have racked up six straight victories.

Talk N’ Text lords it over the standings with an 8-1 (win-loss) card, looking well on it way of nabbing one of the two twice-to-beat incentives going into the playoffs.

The Tigers for their part, are battling for survival as they continue their bid to avoid falling to bottom two.

Powerade just snapped a four-game slide by beating the winless Shopinas.com Clickers, 102-84, last Friday.

That win pushed the Tigers to the eighth spot with a 4-7 record. Powerade is looking to create some distance with Alaska Aces, who are currently at ninth place with a 3-8 slate.

In the first game, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Barako Bull Energy collide with both squads looking to end losing streaks.

Both teams have lost their last three games.

Interestingly, Rain or Shine’s last win came at the expense of Barako Bull, whom they beat in their Nov. 11 encounter, 93-81.

Rain or Shine, who sports a 7-4 slate, is coming off a tight, 100-102 defeat against the B-Meg Llamados. Before that, the Painters also absorbed a two-point loss at the hands of the Tropang Texters, 106-104—a game that needed two overtime periods to be decided.

The Energy parade an even 5-5 record.