Painters also gun for third straight: Beermen eye 3rd win vs Energy

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Barako Bull vs San Miguel Beer

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Talk n Text

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer, beating two heavyweights in its first two games, is fancied to make it three in a row as it tangles with winless Barako Bull in the All Souls Day presentation of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria said their victories over Rain or Shine and Purefoods Star – twice finals protagonists last season -- are indications they’re on the right track in their preparation for this all-Filipino tourney.

“Those wins would boost the morale of the team and me as new coach of this team,” said Austria, confident of their chance against the Energy in their 3 p.m. setto.

It’s an explosive Sunday bill that also pits Rain or Shine versus Talk n Text at 5:15 p.m.

With an average of 19 points and 12.5 rebounds, 2003-04 PBA MVP winner Junmar Fajardo is likely to give coach Coy Banal and his Barako team much problem.

The Energy have difficulty matching up with those teams with imposing frontline as they only have Mick Pennisi, Jondan Salvador, Dave Marcelo and rookies Jake Pascual and Philip Paredes to defend the posts.

They dropped a double-overtime battle versus the Meralco Bolts, 108-112, then bowed to the Globalport Batang Pier, 81-91.

In the other game, Rain or Shine shoots for a third straight win against a Talk n Text squad seeking to bounce back from a loss to Alaska Milk the last time out.

“We have two wins so far but we haven’t proven ourselves yet against the legitimate title contenders,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“This game against Talk n Text will really test our preparation for this conference. TnT is solid despite some concerns with the health of their veterans. We will know if we are ready to contend this conference,” Guiao also said.

After their loss to the Beermen, the Elasto Painters asserted themselves and pulled off convincing wins over expansion teams Blackwater Elite and Kia Sorento.

Talk n Text is at 1-2, beaten by fellow elite teams Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk. The Texters’ lone win came at the expense of the NLEX Road Warriors, 103-81.