Games  today: (Cuneta Astrodome)

5:15 p.m. --Meralco vs. Talk N Text
7:30 p.m. -- Powerade vs. Rain or Shine


DEFENDING  champion Talk N Text is worried about its lack of tune-up games.

Meralco, on the other hand, is concerned whether it will still have the leg power as it plays its third  match in a week’s time.          

Two teams with polar-opposite conditions square off as the Tropang Texters debut tonight, taking on the Bolts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Philippine Cup runner-up Powerade  likewise  makes its first appearance in  the  import-flavored tournament, hoping  it could  take its mind off   recent controversial issues over its sale and move ahead when it battles the team it eliminated in the semi-finals of the season-opening conference, Rain or Shine.          

Omar  Samhan is the one tasked to guide Talk N Text to another championship after the Texters’ incredible conquest in the  Philippine Cup, one  that will long be remembered   for the comeback they pulled from a  1-3 deficit against Petron in the semi-finals and the dominating performance the franchise showed in the championships against the Tigers.          

This kind of achievement should boost team confidence, but head  coach Chot Reyes doesn’t seem to be upbeat even after the  three-week break Talk N Text went through.          

“This is a game fraught with uncertainties,” he said. “We only had four practices with our import.”

That only means that chemistry hasn’t been established yet, something that the Bolts would like to pounce on as they shoot for their second straight victory after their stunning and convincing 105-83 triumph over Petron just the other night.

But whatever confidence Meralco might have  gained in that win, it will still have to contend  with the physical aspect of the game.

“This will be our third game in seven days, and against another elite team in TNT,” said Bolts’ coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Hopefully we have enough legs to battle them using our quickness. This is a very short tournament and every game matters. That’s why we’re treating each game like a playoff.”

After a mediocre debut, Jarrid Famous bounced back with 26 points and 17 rebounds for Meralco, and  Gregorio is expecting a similar  effort from his 6-foot-11 NBA D-League veteran.

“If he plays consistently like that, then I think we’ll have a chance.”

After a turbulent off-season, Powerade will finally step onto the court. Bo Perasol, the head coach, is only hoping that the Tigers can continue whatever surprise they have sprung in the Philippine Cup.

“We have to be careful not to put to waste whatever gains we have achieved last conference. The reality is we have to battle every game. We had our best performance that time only because we fought hard and we struggled as one,” said Perasol.   

The Tigers, who went through tumultuous times prior to the start of the conference over the issue of their franchise’s sale to San Miguel Corp., will be parading Dwayne  Jones.

Jones is an   NBA veteran who suited up for seven ball clubs -- Boston Celtics,  Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Bobcats, Toronto Raptors and the Phoenix Suns.

Because of his  background, Jones is expected to dominate and get the better end of his match-up against Duke Crews.

Crews debuted with 34 points and 11 rebounds for the Elasto Painters, but  he failed to lead the team to the victory against the Alaska Aces, who escaped with a 109-102 victory last Feb. 12.

“We expect better cohesion given more time to practice with our import,” said Painters’ coach Yeng Guiao.

“We did not step up defensively the last game. It also gets frustrating when we can’t convert shots we expect to make. It’s a short elims so its important to recover quickly after our loss.”