Texters kick off campaign vs Bolts sans 6 mainstays

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text hopes to draw the best from returning import Paul Harris as the Tropang Texters opened their bid against the Meralco Bolts minus six core players in the PBA Governors Cup tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Kelly Williams, Harvey Carey, Ryan Reyes and Ranidel de Ocampo are out as the Texters play the Bolts at 7:30 p.m., after the 5:15 p.m. tiff between the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Air21 Express.

“Coming off only three days of practice and playing without six players, we have very little expectations for tomorrow’s (today’s) game,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

“We will try our best to battle and find a way to win, but honestly we’re not ready at all,” he said.

The Bolts, meanwhile, are excited to plunge into action in the season-ending tourney, hopeful they can finally pull one over the Texters.

“Talk n Text is the only team that we have not beaten in the league. That is surely an added motivation for us,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Bolts have just got a big relief with old import Champ Oguchi agreeing to come over on a short notice.

Meralco settled with Oguchi after Devin Green and Juan Patillo both measured above the 6-foot-5 ceiling for imports.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Chito Salud slapped Japeth Aguilar with a fine of P25,000 for skipping the All-Star Game without a valid reason. Aguilar was supposed to start for the RSJ (Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors) team.

The Kings and the Express, on the other hand, also vow to come out with a good start and eventually contend for the crown.

“It’s crucial to get a good start. We need to focus and concentrate on doing things right,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“We are still an undersized team. Hopefully, our import can compensate for it in terms of scoring,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

Mark Caguioa has been given the go-signal to rejoin the Kings and he is expected to perk up Ginebra’s bid along with Cedric Bozeman – the tallest among all imports at 6-foot-5.

Air21 is reinforced by Zach Graham.

Minus Caguioa, the Kings bowed to the Llamados in their Commissioner’s Cup semis. Caguioa is returning in this conference, playing with a face mask to protect his injured right eye socket.