Gabe Freeman of San Miguel scores on a reverse dunk during their game against Barako Bull in the PBA Fiesta Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Beermen won for the eight-straight time with a 104-80 win. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Alaska vs Coca-Cola
7:30 p.m. —Talk ’N Text vs B-Meg Derby Ace

B-Meg Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio has every reason to feel that his team is the underdog when they battle the newly-revamped Talk ’N Text squad this Wednesday in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Gregorio said that its going to be tougher beating the Tropang Texters in their 7:30 p.m. encounter due to the addition of versatile forward Kelly Williams and do-it-all playmaker Ryan Reyes to the TNT squad, TNT is on a six-game winning streak – the second-best this conference behind the seven consecutive wins of defending champion and leader San Miguel Beer (9-1). Also, they currently occupy solo second with a 7-2 card.

Meantime, Alaska (5-4) tangles with Coke (4-6), a team out to end a five-game losing skid at 5 p.m.

The Aces are aiming for their first back-to-back wins in the post-Willie Miller era after winning their previous game against Rain or Shine, 82-73.

“Historically, Talk ’N Text is a major power in the league,” Gregorio said. “Now add Kelly and Ryan without loosing any major player, they have become a superpower that no PBA team can match in terms of roster strength.”

“They are very deep in every position. Every team that they play against will be considered as virtual underdogs,” Gregorio added.

However, being the underdog is an added motivation for the Llamados.

B-Meg Derby Ace is coming off an 83-71 win over Air21 last Saturday in Panabo City, the team’s third straight that improved their win-loss record to 6-3.

As in the past, Gregorio said they will rely much on their defense to beat the Texters, saying: “Our defense will be put to a test against a fluid offensive machine. It would be a disaster of we challenge them into a shoot-out.”

The Texters are averaging a league-best 103.3 points per game They are fresh from a 103-93 win against Coca-Cola last Friday, the first game of Williams and Reyes, who were traded by Sta. Lucia Realty to TNT in a nine-player, three-team deal last week.

Against Coke, the 6-foot-7 Williams had 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and two shot blocks, while the 6-foot-1 Reyes helped in orchestrating the offense of Talk ’N Text and finished with five points, three boards, and one assist.

“We intend to disrupt their rhythm by employing our lockdown defense, it has given us a tremendous boost,” said Gregorio, whose team has limited opponents to 77 points per game this conference.

TNT coach Chot Reyes, nevertheless, expects an exciting battle against a defensive-minded B-Meg Derby Ace, saying: “It’s going to be a classic battle. Let’s see whose will will prevail.”

The Llamados will continue to miss the services of forward Kerby Raymundo, who is still out with an injured right knee.