TEXTERS PARADE HARVEY VS. ENERGY COLA
LEGAZPI City – Talk N Text is in a strange situation and would be banking most on an old face to get back on more familiar grounds.
With Donnell Harvey in tow the Tropang Texters aim to snap out of back-to-back losses when they take on the Barako Bull Energy Cola Saturday in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation here.
Harvey, a certified five-year NBA campaigner who powered TNT to the tournament finals last year, arrived last Thursday and immediately joined his team on its plane ride to this Albay capital.
He replaced the bland Keith Benson, whose relatively passive performances were largely blamed for the Texters’ losses to San Mig Coffee and Alaska, the last via a humiliating 69-92 count last Friday.
It marked the first time this season TNT has lost two in a row and coach Norman Black is optimistic the skid has come its end.
“We are very hopeful that Harvey’s return will give us a big lift. He brings us toughness in the paint and should make our defense stronger,” said Black.
In 18 games with TNT last year, the 6-8 Harvey averaged 19.1 points and 16 rebounds. Black is not sure, however, if Harvey could create an impact right on his first game.
“He is coming in under a difficult situation because his first game is in the province and he just arrived. But we will try to get back on track versus Barako,” said Black.
It sure won’t be easy.
Barako has also lost two in a row and had a short time to prepare for Harvey.
“It will be very difficult for us. They changed imports and are much tougher inside now,” said Energy Cola active consultant Rajko Toroman.
“They lost two in a row so it would be hard. But our obligation is to play better than our last two games.”
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