PBA co-leaders eye 3rd straight win

Games today:

Smart Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Air21

7:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Talk ’N Text

Co-leaders Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and defending champions Petron Blaze Boosters stake their immaculate slates when they play separate opponents today in the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rain or Shine faces the Air21 Express in the first game, while Petron play arch-rival Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters in the main game.

Rain or Shine and Petron are the only unbeaten teams left in the tournament, sharing the top spot with identical 2-0 (win-loss) slates.

The main game will be a grudge rematch between Petron and Talk ’N Text, who figured in a grueling championship series in the Governors’ Cup of the previous season.

The Boosters won the series, 4-3, to win the title and denied the Texters of a rare grandslam feat.

They are the tournament’s favorites but the two powerhouse teams are off to contrasting starts.

While Petron is on a hot start, the Texters are struggling early, going winless in their first two games to join the Powerade Tigers at the ninth and 10th spots. The Tigers are also 0-2 (win-loss).

Talk ’N Text’s slow start is due to its depleted lineup with several key players failing to suit up due to injuries.

Avoiding a 0-3 hole will be crucial for Talk ’N Text as the 10 competing teams will only play nine games in the elimination round. The number seven to 10 teams after the eliminations will be booted out.

Air21 split its first two games, starting the tournament with an 85-103 loss against the Barangay Ginebra Kings before bouncing back against the Texters, 97-86.