TALK 'N TEXT LOOKS TO FORMALIZE PLAYOFF BERTH AT EXPENSE OF GINEBRA

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:30 pm

TALK 'N TEXT LOOKS TO FORMALIZE PLAYOFF BERTH AT EXPENSE OF GINEBRA
Published on March 17, 2012

Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes doesn’t deny they're now thinking about positioning in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

It doesn’t mean, though, that they’re to take things for granted.

First, the Tropang Texters want to hurdle the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their match Sunday to formalize entry into the post-elim plays.

After which, they pursue their drive to make the top two for an outright entry into the semifinals.

“We have to beat Ginebra first,” Reyes insisted on the eve of their match with the Kings.

Talk 'N Text tries to put a lock on a spot in the playoffs while Ginebra looks to revitalize its own bid as they square off at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Barangay Ginebra will come out very strong and we must surpass their intensity,” said Reyes, expressing much concern against the Ginebra team that he feels has become a lot stronger with its acquisition of import Jackson Vroman.

“Vroman is perhaps the most skilled import around and he makes Ginebra, already the deepest team in the league, so much better,” he pointed out.

The Talk 'N Text mentor hopes his troops stand their ground while facing an expected all-out war from the Kings.

“Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa and Mike Cortez are playing their best, spurred by the presence of Kerby Raymundo, Dylan Ababou and Rudy Hatfield,” said Reyes.

Needless to say, the Kings are also wary of the Tropang Texters.

“We have to sustain our energy throughout the game and compete on every possession,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Ginebra slid to joint third place with Air21 and Powerade following back-to-back losses to Meralco, 80-89, and B-Meg, 93-109.

The Kings have to check their skid quickly if they’re to stay in the race for an outright entry into the semifinals.

The tournament format calls for the top two to gain automatic passage into the semis after the elimination round. The next four make the quarterfinals and the last four take early exit in the tourney. (SB)

Source: PBA.ph