by Waylon Galvez
Games Saturday (Mall of Asia Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Talk ’N Text vs Alaska
5:45 p.m. – Meralco vs Air21
Manila, Philippines – Most PBA teams have scheduled practice sessions today and tomorrow to stay in ‘game shape’ in the 2014 PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup.
Defending three-time champion Talk ’N Text will hold its first practice session right on the first day of year 2014 after a three-day vacation, which is much-needed as several players of the Tropang Texters are nursing injuries.
“The team will take a break for three days, then go back to work on January 1,” said Talk ’N Text’s veteran point guard Jimmy Alapag, who just rejoined the team last Saturday.
The Texters, at fourth spot with a 6-3 record, will return to action on Saturday against Alaska (4-6) at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
Currently on top of the team standings is Barangay Ginebra San Miguel with a 9-1 win-loss card.
The Kings extended their winning streak to six games with an 83-82 victory over Meralco last Saturday.
Ginebra has opted for a longer break following its practice yesterday. The Kings resume workout on Thursday.
Ginebra is scheduled to play San Mig Super Coffee on Sunday. In their first meeting, the Kings downed the Mixers, 86-69, on opening day last Nov. 17.
San Mig Coffee will hold practice on Jan. 1.
The Mixers disappointed mentor Tim Cone after losing big against Rain or Shine, 101-77, last Sunday.
The win improved the Elasto Painters record to 7-3 to jump to solo third.
San Mig dropped into a tie for eighth and ninth places with Meralco holding identical 3-7 cards.
After their loss to the Kings, the Bolts only rested Sunday then resumed training yesterday and will continue until Jan. 3 in preparation for their Jan. 4 game versus Air21.
After a two-day break, Rain or Shine is set to return to the gym on Thursday in preparation for its game Sunday against Globalport.
The Batang Pier are tied with Alaska for fifth and sixth spots at 4-6 after absorbing their third straight loss at the hands of Barako Bull last Sunday.
Globalport is also resuming practice session tomorrow.
“It’s a New Year… and we want to start the New Year right,” said Globalport point guard Sol Mercado.
Petron Blaze, which holds a second-best 8-2 slate, will return to the gym either Jan. 2 or 3 since its next game is Jan. 8 against Barako Bull.
The long break will benefi t 6-foot-10 sophomore June Mar Fajardo who has already missed three matches due to a right MCL strain.
Fajardo suffered the injury during a team practice last Dec. 23 when he accidentally stepped on the foot of Doug Kramer.
Barako Bull (4-7) Air21 and Air21 will both return to practice session on January 1.