As part of its preparation for the PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals, Talk ‘N Text will play a pair of tune-up games in China.

The Tropang Texters gained at least a three-week break from PBA hostilities after they topped the classification phase (15-3 win-loss card) and clinched the first outright berth in the Final Four.

They flew to Guangdong yesterday to face the Southern Tigers, the reigning Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions.

The Texters are hoping to keep themselves in shape for their best-of-seven series against either against Alaska or Barangay Ginebra.

Defending champion San Miguel Beer took the second automatic seat in the semifinals by beating Philippine Cup champion B-Meg Derby Ace, 88-83, Friday night.

The Beermen will face either the Llamados or the survivor of the wildcard phase, which already started Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The pair of knockout games features Rain or Shine against Air21, and Sta. Lucia Realty versus Coca-Cola.

The winners of the two KO games will face in another do-or-die game on Wednesday to decide which team will advance to the quarters against B-Meg Derby Ace.

The pair of exhibition games against the Southern Tigers is crucial for TNT, according to head coach Chot Reyes, whose team won a franchise record 13 straight games during the classification phase.

"It's pretty important obviously for the company to undertake this expense," Reyes said.

"We need to stay sharp because the earliest we play is July 16."

After their Guangdong trip, TNT will return on Wednesday and will play the US Soldiers for Lord on Saturday in Palawan.

They recently played two exhibition games in the 1st Smart Philippine Invitational Championship.

Talk ‘N Text also had tune up games in the previous conference when it played the Slingers in Singapore.

The Tropang Texters, however, failed in their bid to retain the all-Filipino championship when they lost to the Ginebra Kings in a quarterfinal series marred by the team's walkout in Game 4 that cost them a fine of P1 million. - www.mb.com.ph