Tropang Texters shoot for third straight win

Games Wednesday :
Araneta Coliseum
5:30 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Barako Bull
7:45 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Meralco

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters gun for a third straight win and a share of the leadership when they lock horns with the Barako Bull Energy in today’s first game of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Texters, who narrowly missed a grand slam last season, started the tournament with wins against the Meralco Bolts (98-80) and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (107-98). Another win today will allow the Texters to join the Petron Blaze Boosters, who are on top of the standings with a clean 3-0 (win-loss) cards.

The Texters are showing no signs of slowing down despite the continued absence of top guns Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo.

Point production, however, has not been a problem so far for the Texters with several players stepping up, including the defensive-minded Harvey Carey.

In Talk ‘N Text’s win over Rain or Shine, Carey exploded for a game-high 28 points, falling two points shy of tying his career high.

“We were fortunate enough to have a good scoring game from Harvey, whom we don’t even have a single play for. That was the difference in tonight’s ballgame,” Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes told pba.ph.

Facing Barako Bull, formerly Air21, could be a big test for the Texters as the Energy have beefed up their lineup by acquiring some of the league’s marquee players.

Barako Bull dropped its first assignment against Petron but bounced back with an 88-75 triumph against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Rookie Dylan Ababou was brilliant in that victory as well as veteran players Willie Miller, Dorian Peña, Jondan Salvador, Don Allado, Paul Artadi and Mick Pennisi.

In the main game, the Painters try to get back on track when they collide with the Meralco Bolts. Both teams sport similar 2-1 records in the team standings.