Games today:
Araneta Coliseum
5:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Talk ‘N Text
7:30 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. San Mig
The defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters stake their unbeaten record when they play the Barako Bull Energy Cola today in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Texters are the only unbeaten team left in the league, occupying the number spot of the team standings with a clean 4-0 (win-loss) card.
Barako Bull head coach Junel Baculi believes his team has what it takes to deal Talk ’N Text its first loss of the tournament.
“Best team right now… but not unbeatable,” Baculi told pba.ph. “We have to play tough, good defense to smother their offensive weapons.”
“Very difficult to beat because of its offensive weapons,” added Baculi, whose team sports a 2-2 record.
While Baculi sees Talk ’N Text as a very dangerous offensive team, Texters head coach Norman Black said it is the team’s solid defense that has been giving the team the needed wins.
“I think we did a very good job playing good defense, especially in the fourth quarter,” said Black shortly after Talk N Text’s 85-74 win over San Mig Coffee last Firday.
Though they have managed to win their first four games, the Texters are still a work in progress, according to Black.
“We’re still far from the team we want to be and we’re working on that. “Our goal right now is to just try and get as many wins as possible,” said Black.
In the main game, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters face the San Mig Coffee Mixers in a rematch of last season’s Governors’ Cup Finals.
Rain or Shine sports a 3-1 slate, while San Mig Coffee is 2-1.
Rain or Shine copped its first title in franchise history when it defeated San Mig (then B-Meg) in the Governors’ Cup Finals.