Llamados, Texters relive Commish Cup title duel

MANILA, Philippines - Commissioner’s Cup title protagonists B-Meg and Talk n Text collide in a keenly awaited rematch which both coaches consider as a “big game” with the Llamados and the Tropang Texters going all-out for a victory in a bid to boost their respective drives in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Air21 and Alaska Milk clash in the day’s other game with the Express out to fight for dear life and the Aces hoping to close out their poor 2011-12 PBA season on a winning note.

The Express and the Aces take the floor at 5:15 p.m. then the Llamados and the Tropang Texters square off at 7:30 p.m. in a twinbill kicking off the final week of the Governors Cup eliminations.

Rain or Shine has been dominant, putting some distance against the rest of the teams with eight of them left in a mad scramble for the five remaining seats in the semifinals.

The Express, with a 2-5 win-loss record, need to sweep their last two games for a possible playoff crack at the last semis berth.

The Llamados, at 5-2, and the Texters, at 4-3, are the Elasto Painters’ closest pursuers. They need to get going to formalize entry into the next round and enhance the cards they’re carrying over into the semis.

“It’s a big, big game,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes to emphasize the importance of their match.

“We know Talk n Text well and they know us after our seven-game (Commissioner’s Cup titular) series, so there won’t be any surprises. It’s a big game for both of us. We both need it,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone.

The Texters are riding the momentum of a three-game romp coming from a two-week respite but they’re wary of what the Llamados can do also coming from a welcome breather.

“(We’re up) against the league’s best defensive team that’s coming into this match well rested and undoubtedly well prepared. We’ll have to make do and find ways to compete like we’ve been doing in our past few games,” said Reyes.

“We’re coming off a tough loss and a long break so we’re antsy to get back on the court and reestablish ourselves,” said Cone.

The Llamados are returning into action after being stopped on their tracks by the Petron Blaze Boosters, 92-80, over a week ago.

Jay Washington played his best game since his return from injury, pouring in 29 points and grabbing nine rebounds as Petron Blaze made it 3-0 versus B-Meg in their head-on matches in the season.

NOTES: The PBA now looks forward to holding games at the brand-new MOA Arena in Pasay. PBA commissioner Chito Salud and his staff visited the venue for ocular inspection Monday and they liked what they saw. Though still holding most of their games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the PBA will visit the MOA Arena every now and then. The PBA has set its initial play date at the Pasay playing venue on July 7.