Texters, B-Boys step up drive for twice-to-beat

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text and Meralco go all out for victories against separate rivals today, each hoping to stay in the race for the other twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinal round of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters battle the struggling Powerade Tigers at 7:30 p.m., looking to catch second running Barangay Ginebra at 8-3 while the B-Boys take on the lowly Barako Bull Energy Boosters at 5 p.m., seeking solo fourth at 6-5.

TnT dropped to third after the Kings stopped the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados’ five-game win run with an 89-86 victory last Sunday.

San Miguel Beer is a cinch to clinch the first twice-to-beat incentive with a pacesetting 10-2 card two games ahead of Ginebra heading to the last stretch of the double-round elims.

The TnT-Powerade match will also mark the return of Texters’ coach Chot Reyes and MVP Kelly Williams after the two joined the Philippines’ campaign in the recent Asian Games as coach and player, respectively.

Another Guangzhou veteran Asi Taulava also returns to action as he leads Meralco’s bid against Barako Bull, which trails the 10-team field with a woeful 2-9 slate.

The Energy Boosters, however, remain in the fight for the eight and final seat in the quarters, just one game behind Powerade (3-8) and two games behind Air21 (4-7).

Barako Bull, meanwhile, has reactivated big man Mark Andaya in lieu of point guard Marvin Cruz while Powerade has also recalled veteran guard Chico Lanete to replace an injured Jai Reyes, a rookie out of Ateneo.