HEALTHY TEXTERS GUN FOR PIECE OF LEAD
Talk n Text won’t have it any other way.
Top guns Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo have got their needed rest, and the team stayed afloat in their absence.
Both Castro and De Ocampo have also got their warm-ups and are expected to play their regular minutes as the Tropang Texers shoot for a share of league leadership when they tangle with the GlobalPort Batang Pier in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Batang Pier doubtful on whether they can already play prized rookie Stanley Pringle, on the other hand.
The Batang Pier have lost their last two games with Pringle nursing a sprained ankle.
Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico, however, believes GlobalPort could pose a tough challenge with or without the brilliant Fil-American guard.
“They can put up numbers in the score board. It’s going to be a tough game,” said Uichico on GlobalPort as opponent in their bid to tie Barako Bull and Alaska atop the leaderboard at 4-1.
GlobalPort stunned Talk n Text, 105-97, during the Philippine Cup elimination round, but the Texters got back at the Batang Pier, 96-88, last conference.
Both are off to a strong start this conference with the Batang Pier winning their first three games before tumbling down in their next two. The Texters, for their part, split their first two games and then nipped Alaska, 104-103, on the return of De Ocampo and trounced NLEX, 108-89, as Castro rejoined the team.
“The roster is complete. What’s hard now is to divide the minutes. Hopefully, we get the right combinations,” said Uichico.
Castro and De Ocampo marveled at how flexible their team has become with imports Steffphon Pettigrew and Sam Daghles.
Castro welcomed in particular the addition of Daghles that allows him to play the point or off-guard spot.
“Ganoon din kasi si Sam. Pwede kaming magpalitan ng position. That’s not the situation for me last conference,” said Castro.
GlobalPort’s major concern is how to match up with Talk n Text’s tall and veteran backcourt lineup.
At frontline, Jarrid Famous could well give GlobalPort the edge versus Pettigrew, Jay Washington and Kelly Williams.
Famous and his teammates look to catch up with San Miguel Beer at third place at 4-2. (SB)
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