Texters, Enforcers seek to preserve perfect records

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs TNT Katropa

7 p.m. – Alaska vs Mahindra

MANILA, Philippines – TNT Katropa and Mahindra try to keep their unbeaten run going into the All-Star break, both gunning win No. 4 as they tangle with NLEX and Alaska Milk, respectively, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

The Texters and the Road Warriors slug it out at 4:15 p.m. then the Enforcers and the Aces mix it up at 7 p.m. in the last play date before the tourney gives way to the 2016 PBA All-Star festivities highlighted by the North-vs-South All-Star Game Sunday.

Both off to a shaky start, the Road Warriors and the Aces hope to get going and prevent the Texters and the Enforcers from widening the gap between them and the chase pack.

TNT coach Jong Uichico is downplaying their hot three-game start, saying: “It’s been three tough games, all three went down to the wire.”

The Texters survived the Alaska Milk Aces, 120-118, in a shootout Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo to catch up with the Enforcers at 3-0.

The Enforcers, meanwhile, are on cloud nine with their franchise-best conference start under new coach Chris Gavina.

The consensus among all the teams is that Mahindra’s victories over the Star Hotshots (100-92 in overtime), the Globalport Batang Pier (108-98) and the San Miguel Beermen (105-103) are no fluke.

One more win and the Enforcers will already match the total number of wins they racked up in the recent Commissioner’s Cup.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs, that would be a first for our franchise,” said Gavina.

Alaska could have been at 3-0 as the Aces barely lost to the Meralco Bolts and the Texters. A big boost was a 109-100 triumph in overtime over the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

James White and his teammates could well be another tough test for the Aces, second placers in four of the last five PBA conferences.

White has been super steady in his maiden PBA journey, averaging 28.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 blocks.

Among the Mahindra locals responding well to their new coach are Aldrech Ramos, Nino Canaleta, Paolo Taha, LA Revilla and Keith Agovida. Iranian reinforcement Iman Mashaddy has also been of help.

For Alaska, LaDontae Henton paces the pack with 32.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

Former Gilas reserve RJ Jazul has emerged as the leading Alaska local scorer with 15.3 points a game. Chris Banchero (15.0), Calvin Abueva (12.0) and Dondon Hontiveros (10.3) are the others averaging in double figures.