Season’s 2nd conference fires off February 28 in Dumaguete


For Talk n Text and Alaska, the challenge is how to cope with the energy of well-rested rivals in the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference after their long stints in the Philippine Cup lasting the full distance of the best-of-seven finale.

Both are plunging back into action in the second conference with a rest of only about three weeks.

"The question is where do we get the energy. Maybe, we can draw some inspiration on the fact that our team is in the running for a season sweep," said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
"We have a job cut out for us in the Fiesta Conference. We're coming out in the tourney tired and healing the wounds of our Philippine Cup Finals loss," said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Tropang Texters start their campaign in the import-laced tourney going up against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the first regular twinbill on March 1 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces have a longer rest, going back into action only on March 4 against the San Miguel Beermen at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The tourney, which is to showcase a balanced mix of new and old imports, opens shop with a road game in Dumaguete on Feb. 28 before featuring its first regular twinbill at the Araneta Coliseum on March 1 with Rain or Shine up against Barako Bull in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser.

Barangay Ginebra begins its title-retention quest taking on Coca-Cola also on the March 4 double-header at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Burger King and Sta. Lucia lock horns in the opening game – a road showcase in Dumaguete on Feb. 28.

The next double-header after March 4 is March 6 at the Astrodome pitting Barako Bull against Coca-Cola and Ginebra versus Burger King, while the next road game is slated in Batangas City on March 7 pitting Purefoods against Rain or Shine.

The Kings hope to be the first team in a long while to defend a title in the reinforced tourney while the Tropang Texters bid to be the first team to score a season sweep since the league shifted to a two-conference format.

With a brief rest, the Texters and the Aces could well have a tough time keeping pace with the opposition.

The key for the two teams is to acquire a well-rounded import who can carry much of the fight at least in the early part of the tourney.

And that could well be the main reason why coaches Tim Cone and Chot Reyes are in hot pursuit of old imports Rosell Ellis and Rashad Bell, respectively. (NC)


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