SOLO LEAD AT STAKE
Talk n Text and Meralco, both off to a strong 2-0 start, fight for the early solo lead as they face off in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Tip off is at 7 p.m. in the contest that will feature an exciting showdown between reigning Commissioner’s Cup Best Import Richard Howell and Meralco’s prized catch Josh Davis.
Both imports showed the way as their teams won their first two games in the mid-season tourney.
Against Rain or Shine and Blackwater, Howell saved his best for last, leading the Texters to an 89-86 decision over the Elasto Painters and then to an 88-78 whipping of the Elite.
Meanwhile, Davis more than held his own against Ginebra’s Mike Dunigan and stood his ground against Kia giant import Peter John Ramos to also lead the Bolts to back-to-back victories.
Davis averaged 22 points and 21.5 points in those games.
Against Marcus Douthit and the Elite, Howell came through with 29 points and 21 rebounds.
In their conference debut, Howell struggled on early fouls but delivered when it mattered the most as the Texters got past the E-Painters and import Rick Jackson.
But, surely, it won’t just be about Howell versus Davis.
Texters Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and the returning Willie Miller were steady in their first two games while Gary David was off to an explosive conference start for Meralco, averaging 23 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds.
“Medyo nag-struggle ako in the all-Filipino, at gusto kong bumawi,” said David.
Mike Cortez is a doubtful starter for Meralco. Even then, coach Norman Black will have a stable backcourt crew in Jai Reyes and Simon Atkins.
Reactivated the last time on the sidelining of Cortez, Reyes immediately made an impact, contributing a career-best 16 points that went with four rebounds, four assists and one steal.
With their deeper bench, the Texters should be the slight picks, though, versus the Bolts.
Talk n Text enjoys a 12-3 advantage over Meralco in head-on duels. The Bolts last won over the Texters in the 2013 Governors’ Cup elims. (SB)
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