TEXTERS, BOLTS OPEN BIDS IN CEBU
WHILE practically all the other teams underwent some massive rebuilding through the Draft, Talk N Text and Meralco opted for more tried and tested players to shore up their rosters.
The soundness of their decisions would be known starting Sunday when the Tropang Texters and the Bolts kick off their campaign in the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the New Cebu Coliseum.
A loss could be easily shrugged off, considering the eliminations phase is a 14-game affair the 10 teams have to go through to determine the eight advancing to the playoffs.
It would be a good thing to win, however, due to the air of uncertainty surrounding the field, most of which have been boosted following the last season.
Take the case of defending champion TNT. Only guard Eli Poligrates, a third round Draft pick, and Nonoy Baclao have been added to the Texters’ lineup, which will be welcoming back Kelly Williams, but missing Ranidel de Ocampo.
Williams, who missed the last two conferences due to a recurring blood disorder, has been declared fit enough after undergoing treatment since last April and his return should be a welcome one since De Ocampo has been sidelined by a right calf muscle strain.
“We are just hoping to get off to a good start in the conference even if we are facing a tough team like Meralco,” said TNT coach Norman Black.
Meralco, on the other hand, has no newcomer in its fold but has some new players, acquired during pre-season deals, in Gary David, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Kerby Raymundo.
Raymundo, however, still needs some two weeks to fully recover from a knee injury.
His latest acquisitions, coach Ryan Gregorio hopes, would be enough to get his Bolts going as they set out and try to at least reprise their third place finish –the franchise’s highest ever — in the last season-ending Governors’ Cup.
“We hope to start off on the right foot. We have new players in tow and some changes in our points of attack,” said Gregorio. “Our offensive weapons are pretty much upgraded with Gary David at the forefront, Mike Cortez directing, Jared Dillinger playing multiple positions, (Cliff) Hodge hustling all-out, Rey Hugnatan solidifying our post attack and Rabeh Al-Hussaini controlling the paint. Our bench mob are also expected to bring in a lot of energy and stability.”
Unrelenting efforts on both ends of the court are indeed needed by Meralco for it to have a chance against TNT, seeking an unprecedented fourth straight championship in the tournament formerly known as the All-Filipino.
Even with De Ocampo out, Black can still count on the likes of Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes, Sean Anthony and Ali Peek.
That fact is not lost on Gregorio. “Talk N Text, with their superior backcourt rotation, must be stymied,” he said. “Our defense, which helped us get to our best finish at third last conference must still be constant. That is the only way we can stop a strong TNT squad.”
Black has practically the same thoughts. “We still want to be good offensively but at the same time improve on the defensive end of the court,” he stated. “Ranidel will be out in our first game but my other guys will be there fighting.” (NC)
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