Talk N Text faces Douthit, Blackwater

Games today (Biñan, Laguna)

3 p.m. – Blackwater vs Talk n Text

5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Barako Bull

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text takes on Blackwater and import replacement Marcus Douthit while Barako Bull tangles with Barangay Ginebra with the Texters and the Energy both shooting for a second straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna today.

Reigning Best Import awardee Richard Howell struggled on early fouls but delivered when it mattered most as Talk n Text outlasted Rain or Shine, 89-86, in a well-fought match Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

On the same play date, Barako Bull had much easier time winning its conference debut, with the Energy and seven-foot import Sol Alabi pummeling an all-Filipino Blackwater side, 92-70.

Barako, however, is now likely to face a tough match as the Energy play the Gin Kings and import Mike Dunigan at 5:15 p.m.

Talk n Text also expects a stiff challenge against Blackwater with the latter signing up Douthit as replacement to the injury-hit Chris Charles. The Texters and the Elite clash at 3 p.m.

Versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Wednesday, the Texters needed a crucial closing flurry to pull off a three-point decision.

Rain or Shine led by seven at 78-71 and was still in control at 81-77 before Talk n Text worked on a 12-5 closing attack to steal the game.

“We didn’t look pretty. We have some work at hand,” said Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico as they barely won their first game in this mid-season tourney where they finished second to Purefoods last season.

“It seemed like we’re starting the first conference again. So we have to keep on working,” Uichico also said.

Barely beating RoS import Rick Jackson at the finish, Howell faces another tough match-up against Douthit, the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player whom SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan agreed to loan to the Blackwater team that has yet to notch a single win in 12 games in PBA Season 40.

The Blackwater management hopes Douthit helps the team to start winning.

The former Providence U stalwart led the league in scoring and rebounding in his tour of duty with the Air21 Express in the same tourney three years ago.

But even then, Douthit failed to get the Express to the playoffs, with the team winning only three of nine games in the elimination round.

Meanwhile, the Kings hope to bounce back from a 74-85 ripping by the Meralco Bolts at the MOA Arena Tuesday.

The Bolts came out well prepared for the highly touted Ginebra import, holding him down to 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Well familiar with the former Air21 reinforcement, Meralco coach Norman Black threw different defensive looks at Dunigan – the last being John Ferriols who even chipped in four points, five rebounds and two steals.

The Bolts also contained the other Ginebra starters in LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa, Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis, thus, spoiling their return under the tutelage of coach Ato Agustin.