MANILA - Defending champion Talk ‘N Text battles Ginebra, while Purefoods faces Rain or Shine in the first game of the best-of-five quarterfinal round of the 35th PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After days of not seeing action, the fifth-ranked Tropang Texters and the fourth-seeded Kings are expected to struggle when they collide at 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 Purefoods is expected to have easy sailing over the Elasto Painters at 5 p.m. today.
Despite their 1-1 record in two meetings in the elimination round, Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes rated his team as the underdog and said their defense will have a hard time in containing Cyrus Baguio, JC Intal and Ronald Tubid.
However, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico refused to accept being the favorite, saying numerous injuries hurt the team’s chances of making it to the semifinals.
Uichico said that the 6’ Caguioa is not yet fully in shape, while the 5’11” guard Jay-Jay Hilterbrand remains a doubtful starter due to a sprained ankle.
He said that without the three key players, he will just rely on old guard Johnny Abarientos, Celino Cruz, Kelvin White and Enrico Villanueva. FCC
5.
GM So stays perfect in 10 rounds
WESLEY So remained undefeated after 10 rounds of the 2010 Corus chess tournament in the Netherlands to stay at second in Group B.
So defeated Tomi Nyback of Finland in 46 moves in Round 10 to keep his streak alive.
He drew his first five matches, before scoring two wins and two more draws.
So now has 6.5 points with still three matches to go.
The victory came on the heels of a wasted potential win against Israeli GM Emil Sutovsky.
So is now tied with Erwin l’Ami of the Netherlands with 6.5 points, just half a point away off current leader Anish Giri of the Netherlands.
So will face Giri in Round 11 today.