Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:45 p.m. – Meralco vs Rain or Shine
8 p.m. – Talk ’N Text vs Barako Bull
Games Tomorrow
(Philsports Arena)
5:45 p.m. – Globalport vs Air21
8 p.m. – Barangay Ginebra vs San Miguel Beer
Manila, Philippines – Talk ‘N Text has one goal going into its match with Barako Bull at 8 p.m. today: Stop Allen Durham.
Durham completed a triple double – 32 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists – as Barako thrashed Globalport, 122-98, Sunday in Binan, Laguna.
“Judging by what I saw in there against Globalport, we’ll have to find a way to control the inside plays of Durham,” said Black.
Completing the regular doubleheader of the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is the curtain-raiser between Meralco and Rain or Shine.
Durham has earned the respect of Black in his debut.
“Not only is he a good post player but it’s his offensive rebounding that gives his teammates confidence in their outside shooting,” added Black.
The Texters are gunning for their sixth victory in seven games while Barako is hoping to improve its 2-5 win-loss slate.
TNT has won its last four games, the last one was against Globalport, 97-82, as import Paul Harris announced his return in style with 37 points and 14 rebounds. This is his third stint with TNT, and first since 2012.
“We’ll continue to try and improve our blending with Paul Harris now that he has given us stability at the import position,” said Black.
Rain or Shine is also fresh from a 117-108 win against Barangay Ginebra in Laguna last Sunday as import AZ Reid scored 31 points, Paul Lee added 24 points and Jeff Chan came off the bench with 18 markers.
That win by the Painters improved their record to 4-3, tied with the San Miguel Beermen.
Reid, a former Best Import, is averaging 26.86 points, 13.14 boards, while Chan and Lee have 14.29 and 13.14 points, respectively.
“Winning against Ginebra was big win for, for our confidence as a team,” said Painters’ mentor Yeng Guiao. “Hopefully we can continue with the momentum we have as we play Meralco.”
Meralco won last Saturday against SMB, 90-74, in Cagayan de Oro City as reinforcement Mario West fired 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds that gave the Bolts a 2-5 card. (Waylon Galvez)