PULLING OUT ALL STOPS
TALK N Text is adding more muscle to what is already a promising campaign while GlobalPort is trying to steady up its bid by acquiring new recruits.
Which of their respective move bears immediate fruits would be known Friday when the Tropang Texters and Batang Pier collide in the PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Gametime is at 5:45 p.m.
A fourth straight win by TNT would be its fifth in six games overall, pushing it into at least a tie for the lead.
To help make sure that happens, the Texters are parading Paul Harris in lieu of the bland Rodney Carney.
“The first goal is to blend him in as quickly as possible,” said TNT coach Norman Black of Harris, who arrived last Tuesday.
Harris was TNT’s import during its run to the 2011Commissioner’s Cup crown and also suited up for the team during the 2012 Governors’ Cup.
The 27-year-old Harris is coming off a stint in France and owns PBA career averages of 24.9 points,11.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in a total of 32 games with the Texters, compared to Carney’s three-game norms of 17.6 points and 3.6 boards.
“I think he (Harris) will help, especially in the areas of defense and rebounding. Our offense has been running smoothly so I expect Paul will fit right in.”
Harris is sure to be up for one big initial test.
GlobalPort has lost three in a row and another loss would relegate it alongside cellar-dwellers Barako Bull and Meralco.
In a determined bid to turn their fortunes around, Batang Pier management traded for veteran Yancy de Ocampo and sniper Val Acuna from San Mig Super Coffee in exchange for Yousef Taha and Ronnie Matias and also got Ronjay Buenafe and a 2015 draft pick from the Energy for Nico Salva and Bonbon Custodio.
The moves, it is hoped, would address the need for more help for Dior Lowhorn. Lowhorn has been solid in his usual game around the basket with two-game averages of 35.5 points and 13 rebounds.
Black admitted his team must work doubly hard in making sure GlobalPort’s shooters do not stretch the defense for Lowhorn to frolic in the paint.
“Major concerns are slowing down the inside plays of Lowhorn and guarding the outside snipings of Alex (Cabagnot), Terrence (Romeo), Jay Wash (Washington) and Ronjay,” said Black. (NC)
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