MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Cup finalists TaIk n Text and Powerade return to action tonight, taking on Meralco and Rain or Shine, respectively, at resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Tropang Texters start their chase for a second straight crown and fourth in the last five conferences against the Bolts at 5:15 p.m.
The Tigers, meanwhile, tangle with the Elasto Painters in the 7:30 p.m. mainer, looking to keep the fire of their Cinderella ride in the first conference.
Marcio Lassiter takes the spotlight, even as his high-profile trade is still up for approval by PBA commissioner Chito Salud
The Powerade-Petron trade involves Lassiter, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
“Marcio is as competitive as ever. He understands his situation,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.
Actually, focus will be on the whole Powerade team following its remarkable performance in the recent All-Filipino Conference.
The Tigers are up against the Elasto Painters whom they beat in a fierce semifinal duel that went the full seven-game distance last conference.
“We have to be careful not to put to waste whatever gains we have achieved last conference,” said Perasol. “The reality is we have to battle every game. We had our best performance the last time only because we fought hard and we struggled as one.”
The Elasto Painters started the Commissioner’s Cup the same way they ended the Philippine Cup – on a losing note.
“We expect better cohesion given more time to practice with our import. We didn’t step up defensively the last game. It also gets frustrating when we can’t convert shots we expect to make,” said coach Yeng Guiao whose team was beaten by the Alaska Aces, 102-109, Sunday.
Duke Crews, a late RoS import replacement, suited up with little preparation but the short, high-leaping player logged impressive numbers of 34 points and 11 rebounds.
Powerade parades six-year NBA veteran Dwayne Clinton Jones against Crews.
“We’ve yet to see DJ play in an actual competition but I think he can handle himself well against any import,” said Perasol of their 6-foot-11 find, a product of St. Joseph U who had stints with the Boston Celtics, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Orlando Magic, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Charlotte Bobcats and the Phoenix Suns from 2005 to 2010.
The Talk n Text-Meralco match is as exciting especially with the Bolts coming off a stirring win over the Petron Blaze Boosters last Wednesday.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio recognized the superior talent of Talk n Text but said they will have the chance if they can find whatever edge they have against the Texters.
“It’s about finding that edge and using it,” said Gregorio.
The Bolts will be up against the reigning champs reinforced by 6-foot-11 import Omar Hassan Samhan.
Samhan was named to First Team All-WCC as a junior and a senior, WCC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, and is one of only two players in St. Mary’s College history with 1,000 rebounds. He ranks second in school history with 1,846 career points. - (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
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