Talk ‘N Text parades intact roster for PH Cup defense

TALK ‘N Text will be defending its PBA Philippine Cup using basically the same lineup that it did last season.

Save for the absence of Japeth Aguilar, the Tropang Texters will come into the tournament practically as an untouched bunch as far as their roster is concerned.

Aguilar is in the United States trying out for a spot in an NBA D-League team.

Talk ‘N Text will try to become just the second team since defunct Crispa to win the all-Filipino title three straight years after the Redmanizers had pulled off the feat from 1979 and 1980 and in 1982.

The league played without an all-Filipino Conference in 1981 and 1982 after accommodating foreign teams, with the Redmanizers coming back for the revival with aplomb.

Talk ‘N Text last season became the first team in 28 years after disbanded Great Taste to defend the all-Filipino and the Texters will try to win a third straight under a new coach in Norman Black.

Black has taken over the reins after Chot Reyes moved over to the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas program and the multi-titled mentor will again try to weave the magic that brought him great success at San Miguel, including a Grand Slam in 1989.

Kelly Williams, an oversized small forward, and Ali Peek an undersized center, will be the two big men left to man the slot for the Texters, who will still be led by National mainstays Ranidel de Ocampo, Jason Castro, Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier.

Williams and Castro begged off from joining the Gilas squad in the Jones and Fiba-Asia Cups to recuperate from injuries, and the two will be ready for the grind ahead.

Ryan Reyes will also be there, giving Black one of the moist feared defenders in the league who can handle smaller or bigger men depending on the team’s need.

Except for a dominating big man like four-time MVP Mon Fernandez in 1989, Black has basically a similar powerhouse roster that almost pulled off a Grand Slam two years ago.

Jared Dillinger is also a key element in the Talk ‘N Text roster.

As evidenced in his stint with the Gilas Five in Tokyo, the 6-foot-4 Dillinger can play all guard positions and can also defend against quicker or beefier opponents.