source: pba.ph

They’ve been impressive in their last three games but none of those assignments managed to provide an acid test for the defending champions.

Talk N Text shuttled from Serbia to Singapore to Korea and later Australia for its off season training camp and the experience the team gained is showing off early into the season.

If they were trying to make an impression, the Tropang Texters did it with aplomb. They practically dominated Rain or Shine, Smart Gilas and Sta. Lucia, in the process staying unbeaten in the 2009-10 KFC PBA Philippine Cup – the same tournament they ruled last season at the expense of the Alaska Aces, the provisional leader and the only other unbeaten team in the conference with four wins.

Defense, apparently, has become the cornerstone of TNT in those three encounters. In each of those games, the defending champs forced their opponents to commit 22 turnovers on the average while holding them to 35 percent shooting.

But while he is pleased with the way they are executing their game plan, TNT coach Chot Reyes readily acknowledges their defense remains suspect pending their match up with San Miguel.

“I think the proof of our defensive pudding is how we can limit a team with so many offensive weapons like San Miguel,” Reyes offered following TNT’s 100-83 romp over the Realtors last Sunday.

The game Reyes feels is an excellent test for TNT is scheduled at 7:30 Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum. It follows the 5 o’clock encounter between Barako Bull (1-2) and Rain or Shine (0-3).

The Beermen, who have not won the AFC since 2001, opened their campaign on a bad note, losing their first two games against Barangay Ginebra and Alaska before bouncing back with a 117-99 victory over Burger King on Oct. 21.

Obviously, the Beermen are scrambling to catch up with the leaders and that’s their motivation against the Tropang Texters, who are aspiring to pull abreast with the Aces atop the leader board.

SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen, apparently, has mapped a sound approach in dealing with the defending champs. Question is: can the Beermen get the job done?

“We have to play well defensively and control the boards to lessen their (TNT) productivity,” Tanquingcen said.

Needless to say, SMB should also shoot well from the 3-point range. The Beermen shot a combined 3-for-32 from the trifecta zone in picking up their two losses and went 12-for-28 in 3-point shots when they broke into the win column against Burger King . (DBC)

Game Schedule (October 28, Wednesday)
5:00PM Barako Bull vs. Rain or Shine
7:30PM San Miguel vs. Talk N Text

PBA Free Live Streaming
[CLICK HERE TO WATCH]