Texters play Energy Cola sans Gilas mainstays

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text, minus its Gilas Pilipinas mainstays, and Petron Blaze, the old powerhouse team under new coaches, take on Barako Bull and Meralco, respectively, in Day Two of the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Texters will lean on import Tony Mitchell in the absence of Gilas players Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Larry Fonacier as they tangle with the Energy Cola at 5:15 p.m.

The Boosters, meanwhile, hope to get going under coaches Gie Abanilla and Todd Purves as they square off with the Bolts at 7:30 p.m.

“The Phl players will miss at least three games as the management has given them time off to let them recover from the grind of the FIBA Asia competition,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“We will just do the best we can with our remaining players. Ryan Reyes, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ali Peek, Sean Anthony and the other guys will have to step up to support Tony,” Black also said.

“Things will be a little difficult because of the sacrifice we made for the Phl team, but at least the country is headed to Spain,” Black added.

Mitchell, whom Talk n Text has played in the second conference featuring imports of unlimited height, will finally be tested in a tourney for 6-foot-5 imports. His first test is Barako’s Michael Singletary from Texas Tech.

The Meralco-Petron face-off features the returning Mario West and newcomer Elijah Millsap, younger brother of Atlanta Hawks’ forward Paul.