WITH NEW IMPORT, TEXTERS BREAK 1-1 TIE WITH KINGS

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It’s an entirely new series as Talk n Text brings in a new import in Game Three of its PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five series with Barangay Ginebra that is squared up at 1-1.

Talk n Text is gambling on 6-foot-5 Tony Mitchell in place of seven-foot Jerome Jordan after losing guard Jimmy Alapag and wingman Jared Dillinger to injuries.

The Tropang Texters and the Gin Kings go for the go-ahead 2-1 lead in their series at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Originally, we were to use Mitchell as out third conference import, but because of recent developments in our team, we will use him now in our series versus Ginebra,” said TnT coach Norman Black.

“That means how to defend Vernon Macklin will be the No. 1 concern. All of our bigs will have to step up and we will have to have solid team defense and rebounding,” Black also said.

“On the other end, we will have to find out quickly how to use the offensive skills of Mitchell since he has a reputation of being an explosive scorer,” Black added.

“Talagang parang bagong series na ito dahil 1-1 kami at may bago silang import,” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua.

“Pareho kaming gagawa ng adjustments. Pero mas malaki ang adjustments nila. Sila ang mag-a-adjust kung paano dumepensa sa import namin,” Chua added.

Mitchell, the Rookie of the Year in the recent NBA D-League, arrived in the country before the bulk of the Talk n Text team flew to Davao for the All-Star Week.

TnT officials and coaching staff tinkered with the import change as Alapag suffered a calf injury as Gilas Pilipinas was about to wrap up its practice Saturday.

Alapag is definitely out of Game Three.

“The good thing is that Ryan Reyes and Ali Peek are now ready to play,” said Black.

The Texters battled back from nine points down at the start of the fourth quarter and forced a 1-1 deadlock with the Kings with a crucial 85-79 victory in Game Two Sunday night.

Ranidel de Ocampo overcame foul-trouble situation, pouring in 10 points in the fourth quarter including a three-pointer that broke Ginebra’s back and the hearts of predominant of the crowd of over 17,000 at the MOA Arena.

“It’s a virtual do-or-die game for us because 0-2 is a difficult situation. Going to the fourth with a nine-point deficit, we said this is it. We have to survive and tie the series or we’re in big trouble. And we showed urgency,” said Black then.

The Kings took the series opener at 104-81 with Macklin feasting on Jordan.

The job to take on Macklin will now likely fall on Ali Peek and Rabah Al-Hussaini. Covering Mitchell may well be Chris Ellis.

Mitchell played for University of Alabama from 2009 to 2012 before joining the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA D-League.

He made the NBA D-League First Team and won the Freshman of the Year honors last April. He also won the 2013 D-League Dream Factory Dunk Contest. (SB)

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