Pals, Giants clash before OFWs

HONG KONG - Arriving in the morning then going on a light workout in the afternoon, the Talk n Text Phone Pals declared they’re ready to kick some butts and start winning right before overseas Filipino workers here today.

Coming off a runner-up finish in the recent Fiesta Cup, Purefoods may well be the odds-on pick but Talk n Text is the sentimental favorite in the PBA Philippine Cup official out-of-the-country game in this former British Colony.

For one, the Phone Pals are practically playing host to the Giants. It’s no secret that team owner Manny Pangilinan considers Hong Kong his second country, having been based here most of the time.

It was actually through his efforts that the match, set at 2:10 p.m. at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, had been made possible through Smart Global, with support coming from Magic Sing and Cebu Pacific as the official carrier.

"We need this win badly as the team certainly doesn’t want to return to Manila carrying a 0-3 card. Besides, we also want to give something back to Mr. Pangilinan, who has been very generous not only to the team, but to thousands of OFWs who are based in Hong Kong and whom he wanted to entertain by bringing in the PBA here," said coach Derrick Pumaren.

The Phone Pals set out for the game coming off two straight losses at the hands of the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Air21 Express. The Giants, on the other hand, sport an even 1-1 win-loss record.

Incidentally, the Pals are the only team the Giants haven’t beaten this season.

While coach Pumaren isn’t pushing the panic button yet, he knows very well the Phone Pals have to start winning.

And it should begin at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, where thousands of OFWs are expected to fill every nook and cranny of the famed arena.

Tickets have been sold out three days before the game, assuring the league of another blockbuster overseas game similar to the one it held in Jakarta, Indonesia during the Fiesta Conference last year.

"It thrilled us no end to bring the PBA in Hong Kong especially upon hearing that all tickets had already been taken. Rest assured of an exciting weekend especially to all our kababayans out there," said league commissioner Noli Eala.