TEXTERS, HOTSHOTS COLLIDE IN DAVAO
As meticulous coaches, Tim Cone and Jong Uichico are tipped to have covered all bases in preparation for their much-anticipated showdown.
Coming from the All-Star break, Talk n Text and Purefoods Star are expected to figure in a dogfight as they clash in a Petron BlazeSaturday Special in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the USEP Gym in Davao City Friday.
Game time is at 5 p.m. with the Tropang Texters looking to regain the solo lead while the Hotshots will be out to muddle up the fight for the Top Two and the twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
“We have come up with something,” said Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico as they brace for a battle with Cone and his troops.
The Texters, at 6-2, are a game in front of Purefoods at 5-3.
Both teams need to sweep their remaining games in the elims to have a good shot at the Top Two.
After their game versus the Hotshots, the Texters will be up next against the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Aces.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, have the Texters, the Barako Bull Energy and the Meralco Bolts as their last three assignments.
Purefoods was among the tourney’s early pacesetters before dropping three successive games to Rain or Shine, Kia and Barangay Ginebra.
The Hotshots got back on track as they drubbed the Beermen, 113-105, in overtime before the All-Star break.
The Texters also won their last game before the Puerto Princesa festivities, topping the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 96-88, on March 1.
Ivan Johnson came through with 35 points and 20 rebounds while Ranidel de Ocampo contributed 25 markers, five boards and three assists as the Texters avenged a 97-105 loss to the Batang Pier in the Philippine Cup.
“Our loss to GlobalPort last conference, more than our last game against Kia, gave us the extra motivation to win the game,” said coach Jong Uichico, recalling the night when his troops were torched by Terrence Romeo with a fiery 30-point game.
It was Talk n Text’s first loss in eight head-on matches with the Mikee Romero-owned ballclub. (SB)
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