TnT, SMB aim for semis; Fajardo shoots for 2nd BPC

MANILA, Philippines -- The top seed Talk n Text and second seed San Miguel Beer shoot for automatic semifinal passage in taking on eighth-ranked Barangay Ginebra and No. 7 Air21, respectively, in Day Two of post-elim plays also at the Big Dome Tuesday night.

Richard Howell, who sat out their last game due to an injury, will be back in action as the Texters seek to keep their amazing unbeaten run versus the Kings in their 8 p.m. tussle.

“Richard has been attending regular practice and is ready to go,” said TnT coach Norman Black.

“We have to defend and rebound well, and try to limit their fastbreak. We have been off for a while so we are looking forward to getting back on the floor,” Black also said.

Meanwhile, Junemar Fajardo is in the running for a rare back-to-back Best Player of the Conference citations as the Philippine Cup BPC winner emerged the stats leader through the Commissioner’s Cup elimination round with 31.67 statistical points a game. Arwind Santos was close behind with an average of 31.67, followed by Ranidel de Ocampo (30.2), Jayson Castro (30.1) and Marcio Lassiter (28.0).