Texters, Carnival eye share of second
Commissioner’s Cup titlist Talk n Text and Kia shoot for a share of second place with idle Alaska Milk as they take on tail-enders NLEX and Blackwater, respectively, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome tonight.
The Carnival and the Elite break a 1-1 tie in a budding rivalry of fellow PBA newcomers as they clash at 4:15 p.m. then the Tropang Texters try to keep their domination of the Road Warriors in a duel of sister teams at 7 p.m.
The Texters and the Carnival both go for a third victory in four outings while the Elite and the Road Warriors seek a second win against three losses.
Kia and Blackwater are expected to figure in another exciting battle as they did in their previous matches in the first two conferences.
The Carnival prevailed in the first match, 80-66, played before a record crowd of over 40,000 during the season inaugurals at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, but the Elite got even, 115-104, in their rematch during the Commissioner’s Cup.
In a continuing breakthrough, Kia pulled off early upsets versus San Miguel Beer (83-78) and NLEX (85-82) to be among the early frontrunners in the season-ending Governors Cup.
For its part, Blackwater has just snapped out of a three-game losing streak, stunning Barangay Ginebra, 83-77.
Meanwhile, the Texters try to reassert their supremacy over the Road Warriors with the possible return of ace guard Jayson Castro.
Ranidel de Ocampo brought with him his spunk, savvy and leadership as he came back ahead of Castro and helped Talk n Text pull off a 104- 103 decision over Alaska Milk last May 18.
Still, Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico is not about to take NLEX lightly.
“They’re a team losing and winning close games. They’re dangerous,” said Uichico.
True enough, NLEX’s all four previous games were all close. The Road Warriors bowed to the Barako Bull Energy Cola (96-101), the Star Hotshots (85-89) and the Carnival (82-85) and won over the Meralco Bolts (91-84).