Talk N Text, Ginebra KO duel reset for tonite

Game today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

7:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Talk n Text

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra got an extra 24 hours to refresh for a knockout battle as torrential rains brought by the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon forced the postponement of their do-or-die match at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

The Tropang Texters and the Kings instead knock each other out at 7:15 tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the winner gaining the right to play the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA Governors Cup Final Eight.

TnT forged the one-game playoff for the last slot in the quarterfinals by beating Ginebra, 113-99, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

If not for the inclement weather, the Texters and the Kings would have played two games in 24 hours. For Ginebra, it would have been a third game in four days.

“Due to heavy rains and flooding, the playoff game for the eighth quarterfinal spot between Barangay Ginebra and Talk n Text has been reset,” the Commissioner’s office announced.

It’s the second playdate in the conference that was postponed due to heavy rains and flooding in and around Metro Manila.

The start of the quarterfinals, meanwhile, was pushed to Wednesday with Meralco and Barako Bull clashing at 5:15 p.m. then San Mig Coffee and Alaska Milk colliding at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

On Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena, it’s Rain or Shine versus Globalport at 5:15 p.m. then Petron Blaze opposite Ginebra or Talk n Text at 7:30 p.m.

“The complete and revised schedule of playoffs and venues will follow shortly,” the Commissioner’s office also said.

The top four seeds – Petron, San Mig Coffee, Meralco and Rain or Shine – have two cracks at making the Final Four.

Ginebra has been in each of the last 18 PBA playoffs while Talk n Text has been a fixture in post-elimination round plays in the last 10 conferences.

One streak comes to an end in their do-or-die showdown tonight.

The Texters, the Philippine Cup three-peat champ, banked on the endgame exploits of Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier and Harvey Carey Sunday night to blast the Gin Kings and live to fight another game.

It’s their first win in three games with import Courtney Fells and first after a 2-1 start in the season-ending conference.

“The guys willed themselves to victory,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

It was a battle marked by a great showdown between Gilas Pilipinas playmakers Alapag and LA Tenorio. Alapag had the last laugh with three big treys at the finish.