Expect a battle royale Friday night in the PBA Philippine Cup as defending champion Talk 'N Text and powerhouse Petron clash in a highly-anticipated encounter at the Araneta Coliseum.
The two teams go into the 7:30 p.m. game, a rematch of its classic Governors Cup Finals last season, carrying similar 3-1 (win-loss) slates in a tie for second place with surprising Barako Bull. The winner will join idle Rain or Shine (4-1) on top of the standings.
The Boosters are coming off their first loss in the tournament, an 80-70 setback against the Meralco Bolts. But not even that could take the shine out of a team that won its first three outings this season.
"It's a tough game with Petron fresh from a defeat," said Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes. "I still believe they're playing the best basketball in the league."
In contrast, the Tropang Texters escaped with a 96-94 win over the B-MEG Llamados in their last outing in a game that saw Jared Dillinger fire a career-high 31 points.
The match also saw Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag's return to Talk 'N Text’s active roster after missing the team’s first three games.
Williams heralded his return by firing 23 points, while Alapag hardly saw action after suffering an ankle sprain early in the match.
While Alapag remains a doubtful starter, Ranidel de Ocampo is still not ready to suit up for the Tropang Texters.
"Petron is playing above its talent, so we need to be at our best against them," added Reyes, whose bid to give the telecommunication franchise a Grand Slam ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Boosters in Game 7 of the Governors Cup Finals.
In the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser, Meralco seeks a fitting follow up to its big win over Petron as it takes on winless Alaska.
The Bolts (3-2), however, is taking on the Aces with a lot of caution.
"Their 0-4 mark is not an indication of their roster power," said Meralco mentor Ryan Gregorio. "They are one of the elite teams in the league and they are bound to break out of the slump. We will do our best to prevent it."
The Aces suffered their worst defeat in their last game against Rain or Shine, a 120-84 rout.
"We are very cautious with our approach against Alaska. No way are we going to the game thinking that it is going to be a sure victory. We will definitely come out with a strong defensive mind-set similar to our approach when we battled the erstwhile unbeaten team Petron," said Gregorio. — JVP, GMA News
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