MANILA, Philippines - Reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion Talk n Text and Rain or Shine, two teams that nearly figured in a fight just in a tune-up game in the off-season, clash in the season proper today in what could be another emotional and physical match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull, teams reportedly mulling a trade deal, slug it out in the day’s other game.
The Texters and the Elasto Painters take on each other at 5:15 p.m. then the Kings and the Energy tangle with one another at 7:30 p.m.
Coach Siot Tanquingcen hopes to ride the momentum of their 83-72 shellacking of Alaska Sunday in a bid to notch a second straight win for the Kings.
The Elasto Painters seek a third straight victory while the Texters will be out for win No. 2 in their match-up.
“It’s a tough match for us. Rain or Shine is a balanced, seasoned team playing with a lot of confidence sparked by so far the league’s best rookie,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
“This would be our biggest test so far. I feel good about our chances. The team is gaining confidence and that really what we need to give them a good fight,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
The TnT-RoS match presents, top-class matchups, including the tandem of Gabe Norwood and Paul Lee versus the pair of Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes.
The Guiao-Reyes battle is as interesting.
The two volatile coaches had separate meetings with league commissioner Chito Salud after a near fight in their tune-up match.
Both passionate in their job, Guiao and Reyes have had previous altercations.
Another old issue that could be revived is that of Japeth Aguilar with Guiao.
Guiao was the one who chose Aguilar as the top pick for Burger King in 2009. Aguilar made himself available for the draft only to turn his back on BK later on, saying he decided instead to play for Smart Gilas.
Talk n Text worked on a trade with BK then to settle Aguilar’s problem.
Though Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo were out in vacation, the Texters still proved to be very competitive in their 98-80 drubbing of the Bolts last Friday.
Aguilar, who played just one game with BK back in 2009, returned in the league with aplomb in that game, erupting for 27 points for the Texters.