PBA: Tropang Texters eye semis berth against Gin Kings

Defending champion Talk 'N Text takes on Barangay Ginebra Sunday, whihc coach Chot Reyes refers to as the deepest team in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

 

The Tropang Texters clash with the Gin Kings at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum with the defending champions seeking to nail the first outright semifinals berth.

 

The two explosive teams collide in the 6:30 p.m. main game, after the equally interesting match up between the Powerade Tigers and Air21 Express at 4:15 p.m.

 

"Ginebra will come out very strong (Sunday) so we must match and surpass their intensity," said Reyes. "(Jackson) Vroman is perhaps the most skilled import around and he makes the Gins, the deepest team in the PBA, so much better."

"Jay-Jay, Spark (Mark Caguioa) and Cool Cat (Mike Cortez) are playing their best, spurred by the presence of Kerby (Raymundo), (Dylan) Ababou and H-Bomb (Rudy Hatfield)."

But while Reyes does have high regards for his opponent, the Kings have spiraled lately even with Vroman around.

 

The most popular team in the league suffered back-to-back losses, including a 109-93 rout by sister-team B-MEG. Overall, the Kings are at an even 3-3, and 1-2 since Vroman replaced Chris Alexander.

 

"We have to sustain our energy throughout the game and compete on every possession," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Prolific that he is, Vroman will expect another tough match up against Texters import Donnell Harvey, the rebounding demon who averages 22.3 caroms, capped by a season high 28 against Air21.

 

Powerade and Air21, two teams tied with Ginebra, try to break out of a logjam as they cross paths in the opener of a Sunday doubleheader.

 

Both the Tigers and Express are coming off losses that hamper their respective playoff chances.

 

Powerade bowed to Talk 'N Text, while Air21 suffered a 30-point blowout against cellar-dweller Rain or Shine, 113-83.

 

"We have to regroup and try to forget our nightmare game against Rain or Shine," said Express coach Franz Pumaren. "Our fate is still in our hands," said Powerade coach Bo Perasol, whose Tigers suffered back-to-back losses. "As a team, we feel the urgency of getting another win. This game is a must for us. That thought should reflect the way we will play." — JVP, GMA News