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Kings try to rebound vs Tigers
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
A DAY after scoring a huge win against Ginebra Wednesday night, Talk ‘N Text was back working out trying to fill in the
loopholes in its defense. As much as possible, as coach Chot Reyes had said, they would want to end the week on a high
and finish the first round of the eliminations at a spot that isn’t bad at all.
It’s been a tough week for the Tropang Texters, although they are in a position to survive it if ever they pull through again
tonight and end up perhaps either tied or solo at third spot and just one or two games behind leaders’ Alaska and San
Miguel Beer.
Reyes and the defending champion Talk ‘N Text would need all the defensive weapons they know and more when they
shoot for their sixth win, battling a Burger King team that has now put the past behind in a KFC-PBA Philippine Cup game at
the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Texters got a big break Wednesday when reigning MVP Jay-Jay Helterbrand failed to suit up due to a pinched nerve
injury and then got more when Celino Cruz left the game in the second quarter after fracturing his shooting left hand.
As an outcome, Talk ‘N Text came away with a runaway 87-72 victory, putting itself in a spot where it could stalk the Aces and
the Beermen as the preliminary round enters its final eight games.
“If we can find a way to be at 6-3 (win-loss) after the first round, it’s still not a bad place to be,” said Reyes. “We’ll just have to
make sure that our win against Ginebra means something and not lose our next game. This has been a tough week.”
The worst, of course, is for the Texters to treat the Whoppers lightly and end up losing. Unlike Ginebra, Burger King has been
healthy so far, and coach Yeng Guiao himself had said that they seem to have set aside the ugly things that happened to
them, particularly the loss of guard Wynne Arboleda for the rest of the season after mauling a fan.
“They are a team that’s physical and tough,” said Reyes. “Coach Yeng had said that they have been side-tracked and
distracted but now they have fully recovered. I’m fully expecting the true Burger King to play on Friday (tonight).”
The Whoppers aren’t exactly at a pleasant position. They only have three wins in eight games, but have somehow snapped
out of their three-game losing slump after beating Barako Bull last Nov. 20.
And to Reyes, that means problems.
“That’s going to be another tough test for us,” he said. “Defense remains to be seen, with Burger King being a team that
likes to play the transition. Our defense is still geared towards stopping people.”
Those people Reyes is referring to are obvious. Burger King isn’t that known as a ball club that has superstars, but relies
more on team play, with offense coming from Gary David and new acquisition Ronjay Buenafe.
Lately, though, the Whoppers have seen some players stepping up, particularly Richard Yee, a Purefoods discard. Mark Yee
is another marked man, a player who’s likewise tough and contributes timely on offense.
Although coming off back-to-back losses, Ginebra would want to stay in the upper half of the 10-team standings, seeking to
nail down its sixth win when it takes on another team that’s fresh from a setback, Coca-Cola.
The Tigers were relegated to last place after absorbing a 92-84 defeat to Rain or Shine also last Wednesday. It was a
contest Coca-Cola appeared to have full control, having built a 14-point lead in the third quarter only to squander it behind
Sol Mercado and Jeff Chan, who combined for 25 points in the fourth period.
Helterbrand remains a doubtful starter, although reports have it that signs of his recovery are positive. Still, the Gin Kings will
play without Cruz, aggravating their health problems since Mark Caguioa will most likely sit it out once again.
“Have to win despite the odds,” was all Ginebra coach Jong Uichico had said about his thoughts on tonight’s match-up.
Coca-Cola itself is on a losing slide. It has dropped its last four games, and will not have Asi Taulava (sprained right ankle).
The Tigers are 1-4 since Taulava suffered the injury.
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
A DAY after scoring a huge win against Ginebra Wednesday night, Talk ‘N Text was back working out trying to fill in the
loopholes in its defense. As much as possible, as coach Chot Reyes had said, they would want to end the week on a high
and finish the first round of the eliminations at a spot that isn’t bad at all.
It’s been a tough week for the Tropang Texters, although they are in a position to survive it if ever they pull through again
tonight and end up perhaps either tied or solo at third spot and just one or two games behind leaders’ Alaska and San
Miguel Beer.
Reyes and the defending champion Talk ‘N Text would need all the defensive weapons they know and more when they
shoot for their sixth win, battling a Burger King team that has now put the past behind in a KFC-PBA Philippine Cup game at
the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Texters got a big break Wednesday when reigning MVP Jay-Jay Helterbrand failed to suit up due to a pinched nerve
injury and then got more when Celino Cruz left the game in the second quarter after fracturing his shooting left hand.
As an outcome, Talk ‘N Text came away with a runaway 87-72 victory, putting itself in a spot where it could stalk the Aces and
the Beermen as the preliminary round enters its final eight games.
“If we can find a way to be at 6-3 (win-loss) after the first round, it’s still not a bad place to be,” said Reyes. “We’ll just have to
make sure that our win against Ginebra means something and not lose our next game. This has been a tough week.”
The worst, of course, is for the Texters to treat the Whoppers lightly and end up losing. Unlike Ginebra, Burger King has been
healthy so far, and coach Yeng Guiao himself had said that they seem to have set aside the ugly things that happened to
them, particularly the loss of guard Wynne Arboleda for the rest of the season after mauling a fan.
“They are a team that’s physical and tough,” said Reyes. “Coach Yeng had said that they have been side-tracked and
distracted but now they have fully recovered. I’m fully expecting the true Burger King to play on Friday (tonight).”
The Whoppers aren’t exactly at a pleasant position. They only have three wins in eight games, but have somehow snapped
out of their three-game losing slump after beating Barako Bull last Nov. 20.
And to Reyes, that means problems.
“That’s going to be another tough test for us,” he said. “Defense remains to be seen, with Burger King being a team that
likes to play the transition. Our defense is still geared towards stopping people.”
Those people Reyes is referring to are obvious. Burger King isn’t that known as a ball club that has superstars, but relies
more on team play, with offense coming from Gary David and new acquisition Ronjay Buenafe.
Lately, though, the Whoppers have seen some players stepping up, particularly Richard Yee, a Purefoods discard. Mark Yee
is another marked man, a player who’s likewise tough and contributes timely on offense.
Although coming off back-to-back losses, Ginebra would want to stay in the upper half of the 10-team standings, seeking to
nail down its sixth win when it takes on another team that’s fresh from a setback, Coca-Cola.
The Tigers were relegated to last place after absorbing a 92-84 defeat to Rain or Shine also last Wednesday. It was a
contest Coca-Cola appeared to have full control, having built a 14-point lead in the third quarter only to squander it behind
Sol Mercado and Jeff Chan, who combined for 25 points in the fourth period.
Helterbrand remains a doubtful starter, although reports have it that signs of his recovery are positive. Still, the Gin Kings will
play without Cruz, aggravating their health problems since Mark Caguioa will most likely sit it out once again.
“Have to win despite the odds,” was all Ginebra coach Jong Uichico had said about his thoughts on tonight’s match-up.
Coca-Cola itself is on a losing slide. It has dropped its last four games, and will not have Asi Taulava (sprained right ankle).
The Tigers are 1-4 since Taulava suffered the injury.