Aware of the impact of today’s game for the rest of the conference, both the Philippine Cup defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters and the Meralco Bolts are not taking their opening game of the PBA-PLDT My DSL Philippine Cup lightly.
The Cebu Coliseum will host the TNT-Meralco joust this afteroon, one of three games that will open the year’s concluding conference.
For FIBA Asia veteran Jimmy Alapag, this conference is the perfect time for the Texters to bounce back after its debacle in the Governors’ Cup. At that time, he and teammates Larry Fonacier, Ranidel De Ocampo and Jason Castro led the country’s runner-up finish in the FIBA Asia Cup last August.
That second place finish gave the Philippines a return ticket to the FIBA World Cup in Spain after years of absence.
“It was a tough season for the team because of FIBA Asia. Now that we are back, we will do our best to start the season strong” said Alapag during yesterday’s press conference at the Aicila Suites.
While Alapag guns for redemption, Meralco’s newly acquired arsenal, Gary David, also a FIBA Asia campaigner, promised to not just serve as the Bolts’ best scoring option but also a huge option on other aspects of the game like defense and ball rotation.
“New team, new role so I have to prepare myself to improve more. I managed to adjust easily with the guys because I know them already outside the court that’s why I’m not that pressured, “ said David. (see related story on page 30)
Meralco Coach Ryan Gregorio said that he will mold David a multi-dimensional player.
Talk N Text’s Kelly Williams and the Bolt’s Jared Dellinger who was out for more than six months due to injury, promised to contribute more for their respective teams.
“We want to accomplish something this season but with a new team, I think there’s a different feeling playing with them because I’m a former Talk N Text player,” Dellinger said.
Talk N Text Head Coach Norman Black said his team’s campaign will hinge on his talented line-up of guards composed of Alapag, Castro and Fonacier. He also assured that Cebuano cager Elliud Poligrates will get his much needed time inside the court today.
Both Black and Gregorio promised the Cebuano basketball fans of an action-packed and entertaining opening match this afternoon amidst the gloom of the recent disasters.
“We are ambassadors of the sport. We are here to showcase our talents especially in these times of calamity. We hope that we can somehow lift up the spirits of the Filipino nation when we play tomorrow (today),” Gregorio said.