Gin Kings go for No. 2 vs Realtors

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra goes for a second straight win and the solo lead versus Sta. Lucia Realty even as Rain or Shine, reunited with prolific import Jai Lewis, looks for a grand debut in taking on Talk n Text in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome today.

The Kings, runners-up to the San Miguel Beermen in this import-laden tourney last year, tackle the Realtors at 7:30 p.m. seeking a follow-up to their 97-90 whipping of the Texters on opening day.

The Texters try to rebound from that loss in their 5 p.m. tiff with the Rain or Shine team aching to plunge back into action with Lewis back in tow.

The Elasto Painters had their breakthrough showing in this tourney last year with the burly Lewis giving the team tremendous boost.

Lewis and Gabe Norwood were teammates at George Mason U that made it to the Final Four in the 2006 US NCAA championship.

The Texters, however, are confident that in Shawn Daniels, they have a reliable import to match up with Lewis.

Daniels is Talk n Text’s last-minute choice after dismissing original pick Eric Hicks then losing Mike Harris in a tug-of-war with the Philadelphia Sixers.

Harris, the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at Rice University, was about to sign with Talk n Text when he received an offer from the Sixers.

He previously played with the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards in the NBA.

“We already had an agreement that we would buy out his contract with his NBDL team (Rio Grandey Valley Vipers). The deal didn’t push through when the Sixers offer came,” said Talk n Text team manager Virgil Villavicencio.

Only Ginebra’s Awvee Storey has NBA credentials among all the imports currently playing in the tourney.

Storey, himself a former Washington Wizard, had a decent debut in Ginebra’s seven-point win over Talk n Text.