PBA IMAGE/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Already hobbled by injuries, Talk ‘N Text will carry another burden caused by an offcourt mishap on one of its key players when the Tropang Texters guns for a share of the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Ali Peek was taken to the Medical City on Monday night after an unidentified gunman opened fire at him, hitting the 6-foot-4 power forward in the nape with the bullet luckily avoiding the spine and other organs.
TNT coach Chot Reyes said Peek was already stable but would be needing surgery to remove the bullet.
Reyes said doctors are waiting for the decision of Peek’s mother, who is scheduled to arrive from the United States Wednesday.
Mandaluyong police released a composite sketch of the suspect, who was described as chinito, standing 5-foot-5 to 5-6, of medium build and about 32 to 36 years old.
“He’s (Peek) a very strong person but obviously these things have a way of getting into you, so he’s in a state of semi-shock,” said Reyes. “The enormity of what happened has just started to sink in.”
Peek’s situation would definitely affect the psyche of the Tropang Texters coming into their 7:30 p.m. match with the Powerade Tigers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fresh from an 86-71 rout of crowd darling Barangay Ginebra, the Tropang Texters are aiming for a fourth straight victory to tie idle Rain Or Shine (6-1) at the top.
Petron Blaze (4-3) is also looking to climb the ladder when the Boosters take the floundering Shopinas.com Clickers (0-7) following its conquest of the Alaska Aces in an out-of-town sortie in Cebu last Saturday.
Apart from the injuries of Ranidel De Ocampo, Harvey Carey, Rich Alvarez and Alapag, the Tropang Texters lost backup wingman Aaron Aban to ACL Tuesday in practice.
The Tigers were badly beaten by Barako Bull, 78-117, tying Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg Derby Ace at 3-4.
Meanwhile, Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has been summoned to appear before the PBA Commissioner’s Office tomorrow to explain his skirmish with Rogemar “Ogie” Menor of Shopinas.com.