Game Saturday (Xavier University Gym,

Cagayan de Oro City)

6:45 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Talk ’N Text

Game Sunday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

3:15 p.m. – Shopinas.com vs Alaska

5:30 p.m. – B-Meg vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — When defending champion Talk ‘N Text first met Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup more than a month back, the Tropang Texters managed to win despite missing three key players including starting guard Jimmy Alapag.

The situation for TNT got worse when they meet for the second time today as starting guard Jimmy Alapag is in the injured list along with four teammates.

The Tropang Texters and the Elasto Painters are scheduled to meet at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City in a road-game presented by Phoenix Fuel.

Game time is at 6:45 p.m.

Talk ’N Text downed Rain or Shine, 107-98, last Oct. 14 where forward Harvey Carey sizzled with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while guard Ryan Reyes contributed 19 points.

TNT played only with 10 players since Ranidel de Ocampo and Rich Alvarez were also still injured then.

The reigning Most Valuable Player actually joined TNT after that game but he hurt again his right ankle, thus missing the team’s last three games. He’s hoping to return next week.

Also recuperating from injuries are Reyes (left strained Medial Collateral Ligament), Alvarez (left hand injury), Aaron Aban (right Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and Ali Peek (gunshot wound in the nape).

Carey and De Ocampo are still not in game shape due to recent injuries.

In their previous win against Shopinas.com (96-83) last Wednesday, Reyes had the opportunity of resting several key players on his rotation to prepare Kelly Williams, Jared Dillinger, Larry Fonacier and Jason Castro for today’s game.

“We want to give some key players rest,” said Reyes, whose team sports a league-best 7-1 record, enjoying a half-game lead on Rain or Shine (7-2). “We need all our energy and stamina when we play Rain or Shine, which we expect to be a tough one.”

The Painters are nursing a 90-80 loss to the Petron Blaze Boosters last Sunday that snapped a five-game winning streak.

Nevertheless, Rain or Shine is expected to give TNT a tough time.

“We’re coming in prepared for this game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who hopes that mainstays Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Ronjay Buenafe, Beau Belga and JR Quinahan will bring their A-game versus TNT.

The two teams are on track of finishing with the best record after the elimination, which earns an incentive of twice-to-beat in the quarterfinals against the No. 7 and 8 teams. The third to sixth placers will play in the crossover best-of-three series, while the No. 9 and 10 finishers will be eliminated automatically.