Texters clash with Beermen; Aces take on resurgent Bolts

MANILA---Talk ‘N Text tries to grab the solo lead against struggling San Miguel Beer today in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The rematch of the Philippine Cup Finals won by the Texters early last month is set at 7:30 p.m. with both teams now in opposite sides of the standings.

TNT is hoping to break its tie for the lead with idle Smart Gilas Pilipinas at 5-1 while SMB is in the cellar at 1-5 after trading its four veterans for the three top rookies of Air21.

Alaska (4-2) tries to take solo third when the Aces tackle at 5 p.m. the Meralco Bolts, who have back-to-back wins in a 2-4 card.

Only the top six teams after the nine-game eliminations will advance to the next round and SMB is in grave danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in years.

The Beermen tried to tap former Sacramento State alumnus Jason Davis in a bid to salvage their playoff bid but decided to keep import David Young instead.

After  the Tropang Texters, the Beermen will wrap up their stint against the B-Meg Llamados and the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, two teams favored to advance to the next level.

The Bolts’ 111-88 victory over the Powerade Tigers on Wednesday night has kept them in the hunt for a spot in the six-team playoff.

“We’re still optimistic about our chances. Our fate is still in our hands,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

Their chances, however, hinge on the performance of backcourt duo of Mac Cardona and Sol Mercado and their ability to control Alaska court leader LA Tenorio.

The Aces dropped their recent out-of-town sortie against the Tropang Texters in Cagayan De Oro but still remain in the upper tier of the standings in a tie with Barangay Ginebra.

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Must-win games start for SanMig

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer tries to end a four-game losing skid against Talk ‘N Text Friday in the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen take the floor at 7:30 p.m. against the Tropang Texters who have won their last five games and gunning for playoff berth. Clashing in the first game at 5 p.m. are Alaska and Meralco.

The Bolts have won back-to-back games at the expense of the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados last Friday and Powerade Tigers last Wednesday.

Against the Tigers, guard Mark Cardona fired 25 points while import Champ Oguchi added 22 markers.

Alaska is coming off a heartbreaking 85-80 loss to TNT for a 4-2 card last Saturday in Cagayan de Oro City. The loss snapped a three-game winning run.

“We’re improving,” said Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio, whose team improved to 2-4. “The team is showing great signs of life after being left for dead after a 0-4 start. Alaska is an elite team. They are always a tough match-up.”

On the other hand, San Miguel Beer is sticking with import David Young after Jason Davis, who arrived recently, failed to impress the coaching staff led by Ato Agustin, as well as management.

“We decided to stick with David Young,” SMB team manager Hector Calma said. “We felt that Jason is not a good fit for us. Actually, he’s only here for try-out.”

With veterans like Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Arwind Santos, Joseph Yeo and former two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso still adjusting with the arrival of rookies Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra, SMB has uncharacteristically dropped four straight games and is in danger of missing the playoffs.

After a 106-94 loss to the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Sunday, the Beermen have to win their last three assignments.

The Tropang Texters’ lone defeat was inflicted by Smart-Gilas Pilipinas last Feb. 25.

TNT shares the lead with the Nationals at 5-1 after B-Meg handed Smart-Gilas its first loss via overtime, 98-90, Wednesday

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B-Meg's turn to test Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Smart Gilas Pilipinas is only a guest team but the way the Nationals are beating their rivals, the Nationals seem to be the ones giving lessons to professional teams and not the other way around.

Proof of their amazing performance is their 5-0 win-loss record that put them on top of the standings – dwarfing league giant San Miguel Beer which is at the bottom with a 1-5 mark.

If they continue their hot form, the Nationals will become the second guest amateur team to win a PBA crown. The Northern Consolidated Cement team put together by businessman Danding Cojuangco Jr. under coach Ron Jacobs was the first to turn the trick in the 1985 Reinforced Conference.

Their kind of game – mark by fluid ball rotation and solid defense – will be put to test again when they go up against B-Meg Derby Ace in the resumption Wednesday of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is set at 5 p.m. after which Powerade (2-4) and Meralco (1-4) – both coming off impressive wins, clash at 7:30 p.m.

The Bolts finally barged into the win-column after dropping their first four games by downing the B-Meg Llamados – reason why the Nationals are heavily favored against their injury-plagued rivals.

Injuries to key players, including James Yap, have weakened the Llamados in their last three games. Yap remains a doubtful starter.

The Tigers, on the other hand, stunned the slumping San Miguel Beermen, 99-91.

Though everything appears to be on their side, Gilas coach Rajko Toroman refused to take the Llamados lightly, saying: “They are very strong. They have talented and skilled outside and inside players.”(MB)

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PBA Results: Smart Gilas drubs RoS, 99-94, Bolts slip past Llamados, 89-86 for first win

(MB) MANILA, Philippines – The Smart Gilas team drew a sterling performance from JV Casio to pull off a 99-94 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in today’s first game of the PBA Commissioners Cup held at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Casio made 29 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the Smart Gilas squad over a pesky RoS team.

With the win, the Smart Gilas team now find themselves at the top of the standings with a 5-0 card. They will next face the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados.

For the Elasto Painters, the loss is their second straight following a tough 78-99 loss to Philippine Cup champion Talk ’N Text last Sunday. They now tote a 3-2 card.

In the second game, Meralco took advantage of an undermanned B-Meg squad to hack out an 89-86 win. Bolts import Champ Oguchi led the Meralco charge and was a critical factor in the dying minutes of the game.

He made a key three-pointer in the final 26 seconds, one of his four triples in the game.

James Yap sat out the game due to a calf injury together with Jonas Villanueva

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