Sans import, Tropang Texters hope to sustain winning streak

The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters are still hopeful they can keep their unbeaten run through playing all-Filipino versus the B-meg Llamados in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

“We’re not even sure we can beat them with an import but our team is no stranger to seemingly hopeless situations,” said Talk ' N Text coach Chot Reyes on the eve of the match.

The Texters were left without an import with Omar Samhan getting injured in their last game against the Alaska Milk Aces Sunday.

“I’d been up all night trying to get an import for tomorrow (today). No luck. Still we fight,” said Reyes in his twitter account yesterday morning.

Reyes can only envy Barangay Ginebra with its acquisition of Jackson Vroman.

“With the deepest local lineup plus a monster import in Vroman, Ginebra is the team to beat this conference,” said Reyes.

Reyes is well familiar with Vroman, having seen the 6-foot-10 player play with Iran and Lebanon in the Asian jousts.

The Texters, in chase of a fourth crown in five conferences, put their clean slate (2-0) at stake as they tangle with the Llamados at 7:30 p.m.

The Llamados, out to redeem themselves after falling in an ambush by the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals, are at 2-1, looking to bounce back from a loss to the Petron Blaze the last time out.

Air21 and Petron play in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser with the Express gunning for a second straight win and the Boosters out to score a follow- up on their 84- 77 victory over the Llamados last Feb. 19.

The Express, formerly the Shopinas.com Clickers, hope to get going after nailing a breakthrough victory with the help of Marcus Douthit also last Feb. 19.

Beaten in all 14 games in the previous conference, Air21 finally overcame the hump, drubbing Barako Bull, 97-88.

The Express made their first nine shots and 11 of their first 12, leading to an early breakaway, 31- 8. Douthit, a naturalized Filipino playing as an import in the mid-season tourney, finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds.

“I had a strange feeling we’re going to win the game prior to the start of the match,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

“Marcus just joined us but the moment he stepped into the practice facility, the confidence level of the team grew at a certain level. I think he is tailor fit for us,” Pumaren also said.—