TEXTERS SHOOT FOR SHARE OF LEAD
Talk ‘N Text eyes a share of top spot as it clashes with Blackwater Sunday in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Coming off of a nail-biting 89-86 win over Rain or Shine on Wednesday, the Tropang Texters seek to tie Meralco on top of the leaderboard at 2-0.
Coach Jong Uichico, however, is hoping for a better performance from reinforcement Richard Howell, who was beset by foul trouble and finished with just 13 points and 12 boards in their conference debut.
“He just has to learn how to play out of foul trouble without losing the aggressiveness he has on defense,” the coach said.
Howell was outplayed in that game by Rain or Shine counterpart Rick Jackson, and he did not look like the same guy who led Talk ‘N Text to 13 straight wins and ran away with the Best Import plum last year.
The Tropang Texters were able to escape with the victory courtesy of timely hits by Jayson Castro and significant contributions from Ranidel de Ocampo and the comebacking Willie Miller.
“We didn’t look pretty so we got some work at hand,” Uichico said. “I thought the first conference was a learning process for us which will carry to the next, but it seems like we’re starting all over again.”
Howell has to find his old self on Sunday as he will be matched up against new Blackwater reinforcement Marcus Douthit.
The naturalized Filipino center was tapped by the Elite as a reliever while first choice import Chris Charles is still healing from his hamstring injury.
Blackwater played all-Filipino and fell against Barako Bull, 70-92, on Wednesday. (RL)
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