Why Lucky Larry Fonacier makes TNT tick

MANILA, Philippines—Larry Fonacier has been called a lot of names—from being a “Baby-Faced Assassin,” to simply “Lucky Larry.”

And to end all debates, his coach at Talk ‘N Text, Chot Reyes, has given him the perfect moniker.

“I’d like to call him the perfect teammate,” Reyes said before a round of golf with sports scribes last week. “He does everything the team needs, subs for his teammates who get injured, and looks to pass first before shooting.

“What sets him apart is his teammanship,” Reyes continued. “You never underestimate the value of being a good teammate. He’s not a go-to guy, he’s a go-through player.”

Fonacier broke new ground in his professional basketball career recently after helping the Tropang Texters annex the Philippine Cup over the Powerade Tigers and winning the Best Player of the Conference award over fancied teammates Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro.

“You guys (PBA Press Corps members) couldn’t have made a better choice,” Reyes said. “He was there for the team all the time—knocking down shots, defending. And he was the only player in my lineup that didn’t miss a game (in the conference).”

Fonacier averaged a shade over 16 points and six rebounds and was the most exposed Texter in the Finals with over 34 minutes a game. Talk ‘N Text withstood a dogged stand by the Tigers to prevail, 4-1, in the best-of-seven series.

Being associated with the word “lucky” has everything to do with Fonacier being a winner.

After winning the Rookie of the Year award with Red Bull in 2005 and helping the team win two championships under Yeng Guiao, Fonacier moved to Alaska and won two titles again under Tim Cone.

His transfer to the Texters at the start of last season definitely made Talk ‘N Text a more complete team. It almost completed a Grand Slam last year and is now the only team in position to achieve the feat again this year.

With a feared shooting touch, and the work ethic that is the envy of many, Talk ‘N Text seems to be the lucky one with Larry.