Talk n Text and Rain or Shine both triumphed the last time out, priming up the two teams for their crucial rematch in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The Tropang Texters and the Elasto Painters clash at 6:30 p.m., the league’s final offering in its busy weekend schedule which at the same time serves as the kickoff of the league’s special Lenten presentation.
The E-Painters stake their share of second place in their Palm Sunday showdown with the Texters. Going to the match, Rain or Shine is at joint second with Petron at 6-3 while Talk n Text is right behind at 5-4.
“It’s very important that we won (over Petron Friday). We needed that very badly. We needed a confidence-booster,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black, mentioning tough assignments lying ahead.
Zero-six against the Texters this season, the E-Painters are hopeful they can finally solve the TnT puzzle.
Rain or Shine shook off the shock and trauma of its loss to an all-Filipino Petron side last March 16 in Panabo, Davao del Norte, repulsing Barako Bull, 103-93, Wednesday – a victory that coach Yeng Guiao hopes they can use as a springboard in their keenly awaited rematch with the Texters.
TnT stopped the E-Painters’ five-game streak and made it 6-0 in their head-on duels in the season via an 86-76 win in their previous encounter on March 13.
For that particular game, the Texters pulled through as they neutralized 7-foot-3 Rain or Shine import Bruno Sundov.
“We put two big men on him all night. The idea was to keep a body between him and the basket. He’s seven-two and he’s a good offensive player,” said Black.
With the help of Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo, Donnell Harvey held Sundov to just eight rebounds.
Sundov made 25 points but Donnell Harvey got 23 and drew the needed firepower support from Larry Fonacier, Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag.
For the rematch, the Texters are out to ride the wave of their incredible win over the Boosters Friday.
Talk n Text overhauled a six-point deficit in the last 37 seconds of regulation and shut down Petron Blaze in overtime, pulling off an amazing 93-85 victory to stay close behind the tournament leaders.
Donnell Harvey delivered a PBA career-high 38 points and the Talk n Text locals took over in the crunch, carving out a win that coach Norman Black considered among his best in the league.
“It’s one of the best wins I’ve ever had in the PBA for couples of reasons. One is that we want to stay ahead in the standings. Second, we need a confidence-booster as we’re struggling in the conference,” said Black whose chargers have been on an up-and-down ride. (SB)
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