Texters seek outright entry to playoffs

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text tries to formalize its entry to the playoffs, Alaska Milk goes for solo fifth while Meralco and Air21 fight to move out of the cellar in the first PBA playdate in 2014 in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City tonight.

Out to make the post-elims play, the Bolts ended their long wait for Kerby Raymundo’s return and finally decided to sign up unrestricted free agent Danny Ildefonso.

The Bolts show up with the two-time MVP winner as they tangle with the Express at 5:45 p.m., succeeding the 3:30 p.m. tiff between the Tropang Texters and the Aces.

Talk n Text hopes to bounce back from a loss to Petron in its last game in 2013 as the three-time defending champion Tropang Texters continue their pursuit of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Alaska, meanwhile, hopes to nail its first back- to-back wins and enhance its bid to make the best-of-three quarterfinals.

“It’s a big game for both teams because we are closing in on the end of the elims. It’s the time that you want to build some momentum and confidence going into the playoffs, and display killer instinct,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“All-out energy for 48 minutes will be needed against Alaska,” Black also said against the team they needed five extra minutes to overcome, 114- 111, in their previous faceoff.

“When we play Talk n Text, it boils down to execution. When we take care of the ball and value our possessions, we stand a chance,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

“They’re a team that runs, and they also are the best rebounding team. A healthy Talk and Text will be a good gauge to see if we are getting playoff ready. They will be at their best after losing to Petron and we see that,” Trillo also said.

Talk n Text, at 6-3, is the fourth team still with a chance for the Top Two and the crucial twice- to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Barangay Ginebra leads the race with a 9-1 card followed by Petron Blaze (8-2) and Rain or Shine (7-3).

Alaska and Globalport, tied with identical 4-6 slates, are slightly up on the rest of the field fighting it out for the last four spots in the quarters.

Through the December stretch of the tourney, Meralco is tied with San Mig Coffee at eighth place at 3-7 while Air21 (2-8) is a game behind at 10th spot.

In their hope to stem the tide in the closing stage of the elims, the Bolts made a little roster upgrading in enlisting Ildefonso.

“His presence will give us more ceiling and maturity,” said Gregorio who insisted they want to start strong in the new year.

“Done with 2013. We want to start on a high note to usher in 2014. New Year, new hope and hopefully new ending,” he said.

“We are still full of hope. With four games left in our calendar, our fate is still in our hands. We still have time to turn things around,” he added.

Meralco, skidding down the chart after losing its last four matches and five of last six, has Air21, Alaska Milk, Rain or Shine and Petron Blaze as final assignments in the elims.

Gregorio and his chargers are still hoping to land a spot in the Top Six to avoid a quarterfinals matchup against a team with a twice-to-beat advantage. Of course, their initial target is to make the eight-team playoffs.

The Bolts got a big jolt in their last game as they blew away a five-point lead in the last 25 seconds of play in a heart-rending 82-83 loss to the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

“The game against Ginebra, though heartbreaking, gave me a lot of confidence that we can compete at a high level,” said Gregorio.

“We played with energy, enthusiasm and we were committed to play defense. Similar elements are needed as we go up against Air21,” Gregorio added.

Air21, on the other hand, ended 2013 on a winning note.

Right on Christmas Day, the Express gave themselves a special present in the form of a stirring 109-103 overtime triumph over the Globalport Batang Pier, one that provided them relief and hope entering the homestretch of the elims.