Pals team to beat

Journal Online

By: Rey Joble

ALMOST every coach now considers Talk ‘N Text as the team to beat when the PBA Philippine Cup kicks off on Oct. 24.

“Well, Talk ‘N Text is a complete team. It has talent and experience, it is well-trained and well-coached,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

With Asi Taulava back and expected to be leaner and faster, and the return of two other superstars – Jimmy Alapag and Ren-Ren Ritualo – the Phone Pals are definitely a force to be reckoned with as the team hopes to make a second straight Finals appearance and end a five-year title drought.

And of course, don’t forgert Mac-Mac Cardona, the Best Player of the Conference in the Fiesta Cup where the Phone Pals finished runner-up to Alaska.

Whether the 6-1 Cardona will be relegated back to his familiar role as backup to Ritualo or assume a new role as a member of the Phone Pals’ starting unit remains to be seen.

Coaches Yeng Guiao of Red Bull, Jong Uichico of Ginebra and Welcoat’s Leo Austria have also installed the Phone Pals as the undoubted favorites.

“Talk ‘N Text is a classy organization. The team has the full management-backing. It also has a championship-caliber squad,” said Guiao, whose team lost marquee players’ Lordy Tugade, Enrico Villanueva and Larry Fonacier on trades and will miss the services of Rich Alvarez who suffered an ACL injury almost two weeks ago.

“Right now, we’re nowhere picked for the top four positions, unlike in past conferences. Unlike the others like Talk ‘N Text, it has kept its nucleus intact and nadagdagan pa. But our team has proven in the past that it can compete against several biggies in the tournament,” said Guiao, who has yet to win a conference without imports.

Uichico, a member of the RP team coaching staff headed by Chot Reyes, on the other hand, has seen the progress of Taulava, Alapag and Ritualo.

Their return to the Phone Pals coupled by their stint in the U.S. will certainly make the team better in the coming season.

“Talk ‘N Text has made it to the Finals without its three superstars. What more if they have them this season?” said Uichico. “It’s not a guess, but it’s obvious that Talk ‘N Text is indeed the favorite.”