Talk ’N Text, Rain or Shine look to extend series lead against semifinal foes

Games today:

Mall of Asia Arena

5:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. San Mig Coffee

7:30 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Alaska

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters look to build a crucial 2-0 series lead when they face their respective opponents in the semifinal round  of the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena today.

Rain or Shine and the San Mig Coffee Mixers collide in the first game followed by the main game encounter between Talk ’N Text and the Alaska Aces.

The Painters and the Texters are up one game to nil in the two best-of-seven series with the former trashing the Coffee Mixers, 91-83, and the later edging the Aces, 66-65, in the series openers Wednesday night.

“It’s just one game. We need to be consistent,” Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said in a pba.ph report.

Guiao credited the team’s Game 1 win to their superb rebounding and ball movement as they won the battle of the boards, 48-46. Rain or Shine also had more assists, 20-16.

“Those are the things that coaches will always be talking about, the assists and rebounding numbers,” said Guiao.

San Mig star guard James Yap will not be 100 percent in Game 2 after injuring his right knee in Game 1.

“Na-over-extend,” said Yap, who is already being slowed by bone spurs on his right ankle.

Despite Yap’s hurting knee, San Mig Coffee head coach Tim Cone expressed confidence that the team can recover right away.

“Rain or Shine got everything they wanted to get. We just couldn’t get them out of their comfort zone and we ended up playing a very subpar game,” said Cone. “But our guys will respond and put a better effort together for Game 2. The key right now is just getting even in the series.”