Talk ‘N Text targets triple title
MANILA, Philippines—Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes has laid down his team’s bold goal as the PBA returns to its original three-conference format.
Win the Grand Slam.
And he hopes that the team’s new acquisitions, both from the past season and the offseason, will provide help in achieving that.
“We will be trying to win the Grand Slam this season and join three other teams that have so far succeeded in scoring a sweep of all three tournaments,” said Reyes who will act as special assistant to RP Team head coach Rajko Toroman for the Asian Games.
Appearing before the Scoop sa Kamayan forum Friday, Reyes said he hopes newcomers Larry Fonacier and Rich Alvarez can provide additional boost to his formidable squad.
The two will join mainstays Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Jared Dillinger, Aaron Aban, Mark Lee, Harvey Carey, Ali Peek and last season’s acquisition Ryan Reyes as the Texters hope to become just the fourth team in league history to clinch basketball’s triple crown.
Crispa (1976 and 1983), San Miguel Beer (1989) and Alaska (1996) are the only squads to win three titles in a season. The Grand Slam was reduced to a relic when the league switched to the two-conference format in 2004 before reverting to the old format this season.
The return to the three-conference schedule now gives teams an added target every season and Reyes wants to be the first to achieve it.
“But first things first, we have to win the most prestigious Philippine Cup,” Reyes said. “I believe Larry will not only fill in the gap but will definitely strengthen our outside shooting.”
Fonacier will try to fill the spot orphaned by Mac Cardona, who transferred to Meralco in the offseason. Alvarez will try to make up for the absence of Kelly Williams, who will be loaned to Smart Gilas Pilipinas until the Asian Games.
“The changes made the team a better balanced lineup in both offense and defense,” said Alapag.
The Tropang Texters will play a four-nation Qatar Invitational championships in Doha as part of their preparation for the PBA 36th season. They will go against Slovenia, France and Qatar.
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