Games today:
Araneta Coliseum
5:15 p.m.- Petron Blaze vs. Air21
7:30 p.m.- Alaska vs. Talk ‘N Text
A battle royale is up as two of the league’s hottest teams collide with the unbeaten Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters tackle the rolling Alaska Aces in the main game of the 38th PBA Philippine Cup today at the Araneta Coliseum.
Sending a strong message to the rest of the field of its serious title-retention bid, the defending champion Texters have been beating one opponent after another to grab the solo top spot of the team standings with a perfect 6-0 (win-loss) slate.
And a warning to the other teams, Talk ’N Text has been winning games depite still making adjustments to the system of newly appointed head coach Norman Black.
“We’re aware that we’re 6-0 but it’s not our main concern,” said Black. “We have a long way to go and we have many things left to develop,” he added at pba.ph after the team’s 80-77 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Saturday in Victorias City.
Talk ’N Text could play short-handed as Jayson Castro is expected to sit out again today due to a hand injury.
Playing against Talk ’N Text could be the Aces’ first acid test.
Alaska started the tournament with two straight losses but turned things around by winning their next four games.
The big surge allowed the Aces to move up to second place.
Also at second spot identical 4-2 records are the Meralco Bolts, San Mig Coffe Mixers and Rain or Shine.
Alaska has been showing balanced offensive attack with multiple Aces scoring in double figures in its string of victories.
The Aces have found a gem in rookie Calvin Abueva, who completed two double-double games in his first three games with the squad.
Abueva, the reigning Player of the Week awardee, was good for 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in Alaska’s wins against Air21 and Ginebra.
Overall, Abueva is averaging 15.7 points and 12.3 in his first three games as a pro.
Meanwhile, the Petron Blaze Boosters (3-3) shoot for a third straight victory when they play the Air21 Express (1-5) in the first game set at 5:15 p.m.