KEEP CLEAN SLATE OR END MISERY
Getting extended rest with the postponement of their respective games Wednesday, Talk n Text and San Mig Coffee face each other in returning to action in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday.
The Tropang Texters seek a second straight win while the Mixers look to end a two-game misery as they tangle at 6:30 p.m. in the Pasay City playing venue.
“Our PHL players will still not suit up for this game but our remaining players will still be there fighting against a very dangerous San Mig Coffee team,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.
“Protecting the paint area will be our main concern because (Marqus) Blakely has been a monster inside. Offensively, we will look to attack the rim and take the outside looks that they will give us,” Black also said.
“We’re no strangers to slow starts. We certainly wanted to avoid one for this conference, but no such luck,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.
Cone didn’t give words on whether he’s still resting Marc Pingris. He’s main concern is to help ace local James Yap and import Marqus Blakely rediscover their touch.
“Key for us, obviously, is getting James on track with his field shooting and Marqus with his free throws,” said Cone. “We’re confident that sooner or later, they will both get it going. Of course, we would prefer sooner.”
Yap has been 2-of-24 from the field while Blakely converted just 15 of 45 charities as San Mig Coffee dropped its first two games in the tourney versus Rain or Shine and Air21.
The Mixers suffered a 75-79 loss at the hands of the E-Painters then reeled with an 82-93 defeat against the Express.
Meanwhile, Talk n Text, minus its Gilas Pilipinas stars, gutted it out to overcome a sluggish start and withstand the fierce-fighting Barako Bull side, 118-113, in overtime on Aug. 16.
The Tropang Texters overhauled a 16-point third quarter deficit on a dizzying 21-to-nothing run and outfought the Energy in extra period to get off to a triumphant start in the season-ending tourney sans Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo and Harvey Carey.
“We’re missing a lot of players and I didn’t know what to expect going into the game,” Black said then.
“I thought it would be a defensive battle but it turned out to be a shootout. Credit goes to the players who are not part of the Philippine team,” Black also said.
Tony Mitchell put in 48 points and 11 rebounds to mark his return as Talk n Text import while Sean Anthony logged 23 markers, eight boards, five steals and two assists to celebrate his first game as a Texter.
Ryan Reyes and another new TnT recruit Jai Reyes also rose to the occasion as the Texters outlasted a Barako Bull side that slowed down as import Michael Singletary struggled with cramps in the crunch.
Singletary managed to buck cramps early on, driving through a phalanx of defenders to force overtime at 101-all.
The former Texas Tech hitman, however, was totally spent in the extra period, going scoreless after exploding for 26 points in the first half and adding 15 in the final half.
Singletary had piled up double-double numbers with 26 points and 11 rebounds as Barako Bull took the half at 62-53.
Mitchell did better pacing himself, capping his performance with eight points and three rebounds in OT. (SB)
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