Texters eye old spot at the top

MANILA, Philippines - Rampaging Talk n Text seeks to regain a share of the lead while on-and-off B-MEG Derby Ace is out to climb back to joint third as they take on separate opponents in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome today.

The Tropang Texters play the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 5 p.m. then the Llamados tangle with the Sta. Lucia Realtors at 7:30 p.m.

The Texters ride the momentum of a record nine-game romp but they take the Elasto Painters with caution in the game they consider the start of their toughest stretch in the double-round eliminations.

“This is the start of what I call the teeth of our schedule. We are going to be severely tested. It’s going to be tough from hereon,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes.

“Ever since they (Rain or Shine) entered the PBA, they have always given us problems. They have a solid local lineup with a dominant import providing huge inside presence. We have to play at a very high level to beat them,” Reyes added.

A team in the running for outright entry into the semifinals, the Texters (10-2) are up next against the Ginebra Kings, the Alaska Aces then the San Miguel Beermen in an arduous four-game stretch.

Rain or Shine may really be a dangerous foe, coming from back-to-back wins over the Barako Energy Coffee Masters and the Ginebra Kings.

“Talk n Text is the best team right now. They have a very strong lineup and we can’t afford too many lapses against such team,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

The Elasto Painters, at 6-5, are in the thick of the fight for the Top Five.

In winning their last two games, the Painters moved within a game of the third running Ginebra Kings (8-5) and half-game behind joint fourth placers Derby Ace Llamados (7-5) and Alaska Aces (7-5).