source: gmanews
Tough.
That in one word is how Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes describes his team’s first assignment in the PBA Governors Cup opposite Alaska Milk on Wednesday’s main game at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Grand Slam-seeking Texters battle the Aces at 7:30 p.m.
“Tough opening game assignment," said Reyes. “That’s trouble for us."
Perhaps that is the price the telecommunication franchise has to pay in the light of its success in winning both the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup early in the season, pushing the Tropang Texters in the brink of winning a rare Grand Slam in the 36-year history of Asia’s pioneering pro league.
And even with two championship belts, the Tropang Texters still have to satiate their desire for winning.
“We’re hungry, very hungry," Reyes admitted.
But the Tropang Texters are meeting an Alaska Aces team that recently shook up its roster by trading away big man Joe Devance to Air21 for Jay-R Reyes. Devance was later shifted by the Express to B-Meg in exchange for KG Canaleta and Jondan Salvador.
While the void left by Devance is definitely a big shoe to fill in, Alaska coach Tim Cone is confident the 6-foot-7 Reyes will finally be given his time to shine with the Aces.
“Jay-R will be given an opportunity that I guess he hasn’t had with other teams," said Cone. “Once the opportunity is given to him then it will be up to him to make the best of it. There’s no doubt Jay-R has a tremendous upside. That’s why we decided to get him."
Jason Forte, who once suited up for Air21, will reinforce Alaska as he goes up against Tropang Texters’ Maurice Baker.
Baker saw action for the Dakota Wizards in the NBA D-League, while Forte previously had stints in Romania, Turkey, and Germany.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine aims for a second straight win and a shot at the solo lead when it tackles Air21 in the curtain raiser at 5 p.m.
“The key to winning in a short tournament is a good start," said Elasto Painters’ coach Yeng Guiao. “We can achieve that by going 2-0 tomorrow. It’s also going to boost our confidence a lot."
The Elasto Painters paraded a gem of an import in Arizona Reid, who exploded for 36 points and 17 rebounds in his league debut against B-Meg Saturday, which Rain or Shine won, 95-82, in Tacloban City.
Air21 is bringing in back previous import Alpha Bangura, who steered the Express to a semifinal stint in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“It would be an interesting match-up since Bangura is a proven scorer against Reid who put out a great performance the first time around," Guiao said.
source: gmanews
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