MANILA, Philippines - With the hope of further boosting their grand slam bid, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters introduce a new import in Scottie Reynolds as they take on the Alaska Milk Aces at the start of the PBA Governors Cup semifinal round at the Araneta Coliseum today.
Despite topping the elimination round with a 6-2 win-loss record with original import Maurice Baker in tow, the Texters still opted to tap former Villanova U standout as they step up their drive for a third straight championship.
Obviously, coach Chot Reyes and his staff believe they would have a better chance to complete the rare Triple Crown with Reynolds, a former All-Big East First Team and member of the US team to the 2007 Pan Am Games.
Baker was only good for 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals an outing.
Reyes’ big concern is that Reynolds, officially measured at 5-foot-11 9/16 at the PBA office yesterday, may have his bout with jet lag in the 5:30 p.m. TnT-Alaska faceoff.
“We must raise the level of our game to compete. Alaska is the hottest team and we’ve been struggling as of late,” said Reyes.
The Aces won their last three games, enabling them to gain a share of second with the Petron Blaze Boosters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 5-3 going into the semis.
“Talk n Text handled us with ease the first time around, but we’ve come a long way since we last played them. We think we can put up a lot better fight this time around,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
The Aces are raring to come out and battle although Cyrus Baguio remains doubtful starter due to a knee injury.
“It’s the playoffs, no one is going to give an inch,” said Cone.
B-Meg also parades a new import in Myron Allen in taking on Rain or Shine in the day’s other game.
The Llamados were forced to look for another import sub as Darnell Hinson needed to rush home to attend a personal problem.
Coach Jorge Gallent and the Llamados, however, are hopeful they’ve gotten a better reinforcement in Allen, a North Dakota alum who made waves with the Arkansas ArchAngels in the WBA, the Fresno Heat Wave in the ABA and the Arkansas Rim Rattlers in the NBA D-League.
B-Meg and Rain or Shine both carry over a 4-4 card into the semis, two full games behind pacesetting Talk n Text.
The six semifinalists figure in another round-robin play. The team which wins four of five games get outright crack at the finals.