PBA: Red-hot San Miguel battles Talk ‘N Text

Games Today (Smart Araneta)
5:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Alaska
7 p.m. – Talk ’N Text vs San Miguel

Surging San Miguel deals with skidding Talk ‘N Text tonight as the Beermen gun for their seventh straight win and a slot into the next round in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“So far. We’re doing a good job as a team,” said San Miguel Head Coach Leo Austria, whose team went 0-2 before finding its rhythm.

While San Miguel is scorching hot, Talk ‘N Text is cold as ice as the Tropang Texters have dropped their last three games, making them a candidate to miss the playoffs.

The last time, TNT got beat by Rain or Shine, 88-73, in an out-of-town game in Bacolod City over the weekend.

Barako Bull is on top of the standings with a 6-1 win-loss record, while San Miguel lurks behind with a 6-2 slate. Also in in hot pursuit are Alaska (5-2), Meralco (4_3), Globalport (4-4), Kia (3-3), Star (3-4), Rain or Shine (3-4), TNT (3-4), Ginebra (3-5), NLEX (2-5) and Blackwater (1-6).

Only the top eight teams will advance to the quarterfinal stage, with the first to fourth qualifiers earning twice-to-beat bonus in the crossover round opposite the fifth to eighth seeds.

The bottom four teams will be eliminated automatically from the playoffs race.

Well aware of the team’s delicate situation,TNT mentor Jong Uichico said they have to bring their A-game to have a chance to winning against the red-hot San Miguel squad.

“It’s a must win. We should get our bearings back. We had three straight losses,” Uichico said.

SMB import AZ Reid, a former two-time Best Import awardee, leads the team in scoring with 26.88 points with 10 rebounds per game average, while reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo averages 16.25 points and 14.50 boards.

As for Talk ’N Text, Uichico will continue to rely on his two imports, Steffphon Pettigrew (26 points and 11.71 rebounds) and Asian reinforcement Sam Daghles of Jordan (10.57 points and 4.71 assists). (Waylon Galvez)