Texters seek q'final edge vs Boosters

MANILA, Philippines - Whether just trying to downplay their chance or challenging his players, Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes insists they would need a miracle to stay on top at the end of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round.

The Tropang Texters try to put a lock on a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage as they take on the Petron Blaze Boosters in a crucial faceoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Boosters, for their part, are out to clinch at least a playoff shot for the coveted quarters incentive. A win by a big margin could automatically assure Petron of the crucial advantage.

The Texters and the Boosters clash at 7:30 p.m. after the 5:30 p.m. tiff between the Barako Bull Energy and the Powerade Tigers.

Barako, meanwhile, is chasing a spot in the Top Six to avoid a quarterfinal rival carrying a twice-to-beat advantage.

“We’ve long given up thinking about the twice-to-beat. Our focus is to win as many games as we can and we don’t expect too much,” said Reyes.

“We hope we can compete, but chances are we might find ourselves playing in the best-of-three. We need to find some miracle ways to beat Petron and Ginebra, but the way we’re playing now, we have no chance,” Reyes added.

The multi-titled Talk n Text mentor said a spate of injuries to his key players hampered their campaign.

“We’re on top on the strength of our old team. Chemistry and depth have been our strength but with all our injuries, it took away our chemistry,” rued Reyes.

He made the observation after barely surviving Alaska following back-to-back losses to Powerade and B-Meg.

“We are a poor team right now. We have poor spirits; we have no guts; we have no defense,” he said.

Reyes insists there’s no way they can compete with the elite teams if they can’t rediscover their old courage and spirit.

Reyes is especially wary of the Petron team that is returning from a two-point defeat to Barangay Ginebra the last time out.

That loss, coupled by Talk n Text’s 100-97 decision over Alaska Milk, relegated Petron to joint second with B-Meg at 9-4.