SISTER teams Talk ’N Text and Meralco are now the only unbeaten teams in the 11-day-old Governor’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
And they are winning without several key players.
The Bolts of coach Ryan Gregorio are still without top scorer Mark Cardona (left strained calf), reserve center Marlou Aquino (hamstring), starting guard Chris Ross (ACL) and backup guard Chris Timberlake (strained calf).
The grand slam-seeking Tropang Texters lost Alapag early in their first game against Alaska. The wily guard sat out their next game against erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum because of a sprained right ankle and will be out for a week.
These teams are downed with key players but are currently at the top of the standings with identical 2-0 win-loss records apiece.
“The guys out there keep on fighting,” said Talk ’N Text head coach Chot Reyes after dealing the Elasto Painters their first defeat after a 2-0 start, 120-108. The team is already missing the services of Jared Dillinger who has been out for a while due to a shoulder injury.
Those two convincing wins by the Tropang Texters, who walloped Alaska in their first game, 101-75, showed how deep their roster is and import Maurice Baker is starting to fit into their system.
“We can’t worry about that [of winning by big margins],” said Reyes. “I just keep on pushing the players and we have a brutal practice and that’s the only way we can get better.”
Reyes pointed to his second unit for providing the quality minutes and carrying the burden for his starters.
Like Talk ’N Text, Meralco has a sizzling start in the eight-game elimination phase and coach Ryan Gregorio said the team’s total effort kept them afloat in two tough games.
“We’re depleted in men but complete in heart,” said Gregorio, as his team came from an 81-78 escape over Alaska on Saturday in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to follow up on its 105-100 win over Petron.
“Coming into the game against Alaska, we knew that we were short-handed in personnel so I challenged them to dig deep and squeeze out whatever they have,” he added.
Gregorio said journeyman Mark Isip is seizing the moment, played big in those two wins with 28 points against the Boosters and a key offensive rebound and a free throw late in the game against the Aces.
Solomon Mercado is doing an exceptional job in steering the Bolts’ ship, Gabby Espinas and Asi Taulava providing the defense and rebounding, import Cham Oguchi is spreading the defense of their opponents with his accurate shooting and the rest are sharing their contributions, as well.
“It is great to see the players who are doing extremely well in a situation like ours,” said Gregorio. “We will continue to strive for excellence, compete every night and try to pull off an upset. We are 2-0 long way to go. We are not about to relax and be complacent.”
In Photo: Jason Castro of Talk ’N Text spread eagled as he tries to foil Ronjay Buenafe of Rain or Shine during their game on Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum. (Nonoy Lacza)
