Jeffrey Cariaso (middle) of Alaska loses the ball in an aerial clash with John Arigo (left) and Michael Hrabak of Barako Bull in Sunday’s game. Barako Bull won, 92-90.


MANILA, Philippines - Coach Chot Reyes is optimistic his Talk n Text team will be in war mode almost four weeks after winning the all-Filipino championship, hopeful they can finally nail down a first win in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference versus Coca-Cola tonight at the Astrodome.

“I was not surprised to lose our first two games because we weren’t ready. Tomorrow (today), we expect to play a lot better,” said Reyes, believing his boys have gotten over their championship hangover.

Two weeks into the tourney, Talk n Text and all-Filipino losing finalist Alaska are curiously tied in the cellar with identical 0-2 win-loss records.

The Tropang Texters, beaten by the Purefoods Giants and the Sta. Lucia Realtors in their first two games, hope to finally break into the win-column as they tangle with the Tigers at 4:50 p.m.

The Tigers, however, also have high hopes specially as they’re coming off a win over the Barako Bull Energy Boosters Friday.

“We just have to be aggressive on attacking the zone and stop Talk n Text’s running game. If we can also limit their second-chance points, then we have a good chance of beating them,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes.

Sta. Lucia and Barangay Ginebra, which both split their first two games, clash in the other game at 7:30 p.m.

“Ginebra added talented players that have made them a stronger team. We have to defend and match their intensity,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“We have to make some adjustments and just bounce back,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Realtors have just scored their first win in the tourney with a 106-100 whipping of the Tropang Texters Thursday while the Kings suffered a first loss at the hands of the Burger King Titans, 106-110, Friday.

The Kings are playing a third game in the last seven days.


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