Texters enter semis, disconnect Painters

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text gained early passage into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals while bundling Rain or Shine out of the tourney as the Tropang Texters overpowered the Elasto Painters, 102-90, in their crucial out-of-town faceoff at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu last night.

Even with head coach Chot Reyes away in Manila, the Tropang Texters were all business, chalking up the win that assured them of a spot in the Top Two at the close of the elimination round Wednesday.

B-Meg and Barangay Ginebra were left to dispute the other outright semis slot.

The Llamados and the Kings press their bids as they take on the Powerade Tigers and the Barako Bull Energy, respectively, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

A three-way tie among Talk n Text, B-Meg, Barangay Ginebra may ensue at 6-3. In this scenario, the Texters and the Llamados gain the outright semis berths on superior quotients.

Talk n Text pummeled Rain or Shine in the middle quarters before eventually eliminating the Elasto Painters from further contention.

With Alaska Milk being the third team to gain a playoff berth Friday, Powerade, Barako Bull, Meralco, Air21 and Petron are the teams left to slug it out for the three remaining quarters slots.

Should the Tigers and the Energy prevail tonight, only one quarterfinal slot will remain available.

“The only attitude that is going to benefit us is to put our disappointing loss to Alaska aside and face the task at hand,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“Our position is still within our control. We have to shake off the frustration and move on,” added Perasol, whose troops blew a first crack at the quarters as they squandered a 16-point lead in the last five minutes versus the Aces.

The Tigers now have a job cut out for them against the Llamados who are determined to make the Top Two.

Ginebra can bump off B-Meg if the Kings sweep their last two games against the Energy and the Air21 Express, and the Llamados drop their game against the Tigers.

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen, however, isn’t looking beyond Barako Bull.

“It’s huge for both of us so I expect it to be a tough game. We need to play aggressive and smart,” said Tanquingcen.

“We have to be mentally prepared. Ginebra is on the upswing. We will be the underdogs but we will be there the whole game to compete,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi.

Meralco (4-5), Air21 (3-5) and Petron (3-5) are teams hoping for losses by Powerade and Barako Bull for a chance at a playoff shot for the last quarters seat.