Texters target share of third vs Whoppers

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text guns for a share of third place with Purefoods as it squares off with unpredictable Burger King today in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Tropang Texters scrambled past the lowly Coca-Cola Tigers, 107-104, in an out-of-town sortie in General Santos City over the weekend but remain the favorites over the Whoppers as they go for their eighth win in 12 games in their 7:30 p.m. encounter.

 The Sta. Lucia Realtors, in the middle of the pack with a 5-5 mark, take on the Tigers in the 5 p.m. opener.

Mac Cardona, Harvey Carey, Pong Escobal, Jimmy Alapag and Ali Peek will try to lead TnT’s bid again after scoring 21, 20, 16, 15 and 10 points, respectively, the last time out.

Cardona came up short for a triple-double effort as he posted eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals while the bull-strong Carey finished with a double-double that included 14 rebounds.

But Burger King is also coming off a victory, battling from behind to nip Rain or Shine, 101-99, last Sunday for seventh place with a 4-7 win-loss slate

The Whoppers bucked the loss of coach Yeng Guiao and relied on a superb all-around effort by Mark Yee, who had a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds, two assists and a key block down the stretch.

Gary David, JR Quinahan, Beau Belga and Carlo Sharma backed Yee with a combined 55-point effort.

Alaska outduelled San Miguel in overtime, 122-116, last Wednesday to remain on top of the field with a 10-1 record. The Beermen took their first loss after sweeping their last nine games for an 9-3 card overall for second.

In a non-bearing game, Smart Gilas Pilipinas collides with Barako Bull at 2:30 p.m.

The Nationals, mentored by Serbian Rajko Toroman, will parade American Jamal Sampson for the first time as its player-candidate for naturalization and replacement to CJ Giles.

The 6-11 Sampson, who played for five NBA teams in five seasons, recently signed a contract with Smart Gilas, the country’s developmental team which will vie for a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.