Aces seek win No. 5; Bolts, Texters clash

Games Tuesday (Cuneta Astrodome)

4:15 p.m. – Kia vs Alaska

7 p.m. – Meralco vs Talk n Text

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten leader Alaska Milk is fancied to make it five in a row versus struggling expansion team Kia even as Meralco and Talk n Text are tipped to figure in a fierce battle in a duel for win No. 4 in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Tuesday.

Riding the momentum of big wins against elite teams Purefoods, Talk n Text, Meralco and San Miguel Beer, the Aces are the hands-down choice in their 4:15 p.m. tiff versus the Sorento, who have lost four matches after winning their PBA debut against fellow newcomer Blackwater Elite.

A toss-up is the Meralco-Talk n Text tiff at 7 p.m.

It’s the first meeting between the two teams since coach Norman Black was transferred by the MVP Group management from Talk n Text to Meralco.

The Bolts have won three of their first four matches under Black while the Texters are off to a 3-2 win-loss start under coach Jong Uichico.

“It’s another big test for us going up against one of the most talented teams in the league,” said Black. “Keys are limiting their penetrations to the basket, and being able to close out on their shooters.”

The Texters were impressive in their last two outings, clobbering the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Kia Sorento both by 23 points.

Versus the Sorento Friday, Uichico finally broke in Jimmy Alapag from his rest after a stint with Gilas Pilipinas. Alapag logged two points, one rebound and one assist in seven minutes of action.

Kelly Williams, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes and Matt Ganuelas carried the load as the Texters seized control in the third quarter, opening double-digit spreads after leading by just four, 39-35, at the half.

The Texters sat on a 59-44 cushion at the end of the third and pushed harder to lead by as many as 26 before completing their rout of the Sorento.

Meanwhile, Meralco made a giant turnaround from a blowout loss to Alaska, fashioning out a coast-to-coast 90-75 win over NLEX Wednesday.

Handed a nightmarish 64-105 defeat by the Aces in their Halloween showdown, the Bolts soothed their heartbreak with an overpowering performance that had them leading by as many as 30 points before eventually notching a third win in four games.

Veterans Gary David, Jared Dillinger, Reynel Hugnatan and Mike Cortez carried the load as the Bolts withstood the NLEX squad fresh from a stirring 97-81 upset of Barangay Ginebra.