Depleted Texters face B-Boys, new import

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text, minus two injured stalwarts in Jason Castro and Jared Dillinger, will have its hands full against Meralco and its new import Champ Oguchi in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Castro is out with a sprained ankle while Dillinger is nursing a strained shoulder, making the Texters short-handed in their 5 p.m. showdown with the winless B-Boys.

“We’re playing a team with two of the league’s best local scorers (Macmac Cardona and Sol Mercado) without our top two defenders. Plus the unknown factor of a new import makes the game a tough one for us,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

Talk n Text is out to nail a third straight win after a losing debut against Smart Gilas while Meralco is looking to nail a first win after dropping its first three outings.

The B-Boys have finally decided to tap in Oguchi after sorry losses to Barangay Ginebra Kings, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the San Miguel Beermen.

Oguchi, a member of the Nigerian national team, has been in the country for over a week. Measured at 6-foot-3 13/16, the former Illinois State mainstay is taking over from Tony Danridge.

“The decision to change the import is brought about by immediate need. We need an import who can shoot from the three and spread the floor for Cardona and Mercado’s penetrating space,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

The youthful mentor expressed determination to get his team on track to avoid early elimination in the short tourney.

“We are finding ways to win. We were not ready to make the correct decisions in the end game against San Miguel. Hopefully, we’ve learned from it,” said Gregorio.

“It’s a very slow start for us, but the plan is to recover and get on the right track,” Gregorio added.

Barangay Ginebra and Powerade, two teams which are also out to get into groove, clash in the other game at 7:30 p.m.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said the bottom line is that they need to play better and harder.

Powerade coach Bo Perasol, on the other hand, is convinced it’s not too late for his team to get going.

“We still have a clear shot on the top six that will qualify (for the playoffs). We are slowly trying to understand what it takes to win. It’s not going to be easy but we are willing to pay the price,” said Perasol.