Texters out to seal Top 2 finish

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Talk n Text, motivated and rejuvenated coming from a weeklong rest, goes for an outright Top Two finish as it takes on San Mig Coffee in a rare Monday double-header in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Well entrenched on top with an unblemished 6-0 slate, the Tropang Texters hope to pull away from the rest of the pack as they shoot for their seventh win in a row versus the Super Coffee Mixers in their 8 p.m. faceoff.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine parades a new import in Wayne Chism as the Elasto Painters seek a second straight win and a share of fourth spot in battling the winless Globalport Batang Pier at 5:45 p.m.

The E-Painters are out to create a heavy four-way logjam at fourth place at 3-3 with the Air21 Express, the Alaska Milk Aces and the Meralco Bolts while the Batang Pier are fighting for survival at 0-6.

The TnT-SMC showdown is a key matchup in the fight for the Top Two and the twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

This early, the Texters will clear all hindrance towards claiming top seeding in the playoffs if they hurdle the Mixers. But San Mig muddles the fight if it stops Talk n Text’s mighty charge.

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone admits they’re facing an uphill battle especially as they’re coming from a deflating loss to the Barako Bull Energy Cola.

“No doubt, we’re coming off a disappointing loss that certainly stunned us. We did a poor job of looking past Barako to our matchup with TnT,” said Cone.

“They (the Texters) are the team to beat at this point and they’re going to be difficult to slow down. It’s always tough to play a team with great momentum,” Cone added.

Talk n Text coach Norman Black, meanwhile, said playing San Mig Coffee is always a challenge.

“Major concerns will be for us to get back on defense especially off turnovers. We must also have a high energy level on the boards because they are a good rebounding team,” said Black.

The Mixers had also been on a great unbeaten run until yielding to the Energy Cola, 90-92, on an endgame breakdown.

In their last game, the Tropang Texters faced an acid test against the Barangay Ginebra Kings but found a way to pull through, 94-87, and thus further distance themselves from the field.

And that’s before taking a welcome seven-day breather.

Richard Howell and the Texters are refreshed as they face James Mays and the Mixers.

Earlier in the day, Chism will finally be showing to the PBA fans what he’s got.

“Our new import has made good progress in our last two practices. I’m confident he can make significant contribution to our campaign from hereon,” said RoS coach Yeng Guiao.

“Our locals will also have to step up and not rely too much on our import. Consistency of our defense has been a factor in our struggle and we’re hoping Chism can also give us a lift in this department,” Guiao also said.

Chism was supposed to be Barako Bull’s import. He had actually practiced with the Energy Cola in the pre-season only to find out he had a contractual problem with his previous team in Hungary. But he has resolved his problem with his Hungarian team, thus, making him free to join Rain or Shine.

The former Tennessee U standout averaged 20.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 16 games with the Kaposvari team in Hungary.