SWEEP OR BREAKTHROUGH FIRST
Before Thursday noon, Talk n Text coach Norman Black and his team were still awaiting the results of Richard Howell’s MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test.
Howell was complaining of shoulder pain as a result of a nasty fall after a contact with Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee in their game Wednesday night.
One thing is sure – the Tropang Texters will fight to win with or without Howell in their game against the GlobalPort Batang Pier Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Texters demonstrated their fight instinct in that particular game versus the E-Painters, salvaging an 85-82 victory to keep a perfect slate with a game left in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.
Black and his troops go for a nine-game sweep in taking on the Batang Pier at 8 p.m.
“We need to keep on winning. We need to keep the momentum going as we enter the playoffs,” said Black.
Out of the playoffs race, the Batang Pier, meanwhile, hope to avoid the specter of being swept.
They’re at 0-7 going into their last two games against the Tropang Texters and the Barako Bull Energy.
A good opportunity for a possible upset comes if Black opts to sit out Howell.
Before the Wednesday incident, Howell had been a steady monster “20-20” performer.
As he headed to their locker room even before halftime never to return, Howell ended up with only two points and nine rebounds in 16 minutes of action.
The TnT locals, however, gallantly held the fort, making a crucial recovery in the third quarter as the Tropang Texters overcame the Elasto Painters and moved within a win of a clean sweep of the elims.
So, it’s either a sweep for the Texters or the Batang Pier nailing an elusive first win Friday night. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
