Hot Texters step up semis drive vs Aces

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text, sizzling on a franchise-record 11-game streak, hopes to keep on going as it zeroes in on the outright semifinal seat against Alaska Milk in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Tropang Texters slug it out with the Aces at 7:30 p.m., going for the first of only two wins they need to gain automatic entry into the semis.

Barangay Ginebra and Barako Energy Coffee square off earlier at 5 p.m. with both out to arrest a skid.

The Kings have a lot of catching up to do after losing their last two games that dropped them to fifth place at 8-6.

The Energy Coffee Masters, on the other hand, are fighting for survival at 2-12.

All four teams are expected to give it their best entering the homestretch of the double-round elimination phase where the top two gain outright entry into the semis, the next three outright passage into the quarters and the next four relegated to the wildcard round.

The Texters beat the Aces convincingly in their previous matchup but TnT coach Chot Reyes is wary of a big Alaska fightback.

“The game is going to be tough in more ways than one. Alaska is a tough team with a tough import. Then our players still have to recover from severe dehydration from our game Saturday,” said Reyes.

A number of players cramped out as the Texters beat the Ginebra Kings, 92-84, at the oven-hot venue in Batangas City last Saturday.

“In terms of standings, it’s a very important game for us. TnT does a great job of attacking for the full 48 minutes. In return, we’ll need to sustain our own aggressiveness and stay in an attack mode ourselves,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Cone and his chargers, at 8-5, are in a tough fight with the Derby Ace Llamados (9-5), the Kings (8-6) and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (7-6) for the three outright quarters seats.

Coca-Cola is behind at 5-9.