Sonny Thoss of Alaska Milk (left) tries to untangle himself from the Coca-Cola’s Dennis Espino (right) and Larry Rodriguez in their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup duel last Friday. The Aces won, 100-79, their third straight win. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games on Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4:00 p.m. — Alaska vs Ginebra
6:30 p.m. — Talk 'N Text vs Sta. Lucia

Four teams with unbeaten records in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup take the floor this Sunday, and for sure, only two teams will remain undefeated at the end of the day.

Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk, sporting similar 3-0 cards, dispute the solo lead when they clash in the opening game at 4 p.m. while defending champion Talk ’N Text (2-0) tests the mettle of Sta. Lucia Realty (2-0) at 6:30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Last Friday, both Ginebra and Alaska claimed their third straight wins after the Kings dealt the Smart-Gilas National Team its third loss with a 100-72 victory while the Aces kept the Coca-Cola Tigers winless in three games with a 100-79 win.

Ginebra, however, will continue to miss the services of Mark Caguioa and Eric Menk due to injuries.

Caguioa, who missed the previous season because of tendonitis, has played in the Kings’ first two games but has since complained pain in his left knee while Menk sustained a fractured right pinky toe last week.

“We just have to continue finding ways to win, to be competitive,” Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico said. “We know Alaska is a tough team so it’s going to be a tough game.” Alaska mentor Tim Cone agreed.

Even without Caguioa and Menk, Cone is convinced that the Kings remain highly competitive because of their awesome firepower.

Reigning MVP Jayjay Helterbrand is expected to lead Ginebra’s assault along with with Cyrus Baguio, Ronald Tubid, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson, and Sunday Salvacion as well as new recruits Enrico Villanueva and Celino Cruz.

“They obviously have a lot of teeth left,” Cone said. “This team we are playing is a lot deeper. They got Ronald, Jayjay, JC, Cyrus. They got so much depth and quickness. We have to control the tempo. Our execution will be crucial.”

Equally exciting is the game between the Texters and the Realtors.

“It’s going to be a big test for us facing the defending champion,” SLR mentor Boyet Fernandez said. “For us to win against Talk ’N Text we have to play tough defense, we have to execute our game plan.”

While the Realtors will rely anew on 2008 MVP Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, the Texters will bank on their 1-2 punch in Jimmy Alapag and Mark Cardona.