First Game High

Tomorrow marks the first game of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the 38th season of Philippine Basketball Association.  They will go against their sister team – Meralco Bolts. While the Bolts will parade new faces in their line-up, the Tropang Texters will be composed of the same players from last season. The team is the only team who didn’t change players during the off season though they lost the high flying Japeth Aguilar. Aguilar is currently in the United States trying to pursue his NBA dream.

Long time assistant coach Nash Racela will temporarily call the shots for the team while Norman Black is still coaching the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP. It is expected that Coach Norman will be able to join the team during their second or third game. Both Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey are chasing a career milestone. Jimmy needs three 3-point shots to become the fourth player in the PBA history to reach 1000 triples while Harvey is one defensive rebound shy to become a member in the 2000 defensive rebound club. 

As a team, they are looking to become the first team to win the Philippine Cup title in three straight seasons, with the team remained intact and the resume of Norman Black as a head coach, it is not too impossible to reach such goal. The team only needs to continue doing what they do best – dribble drive offense infuse with Coach Black’s style of coaching.  All the players were able to get the much needed rest after a grueling two seasons that saw the team won 3 championships and two runners up trophies.

Ranidel De Ocampo, Larry Fonacier and Jared Dillinger though didn’t get enough rest because they represented the country during the Jones Cup and FIBA. These competitions however allowed them to stay sharp and in good shape, hopefully all three of them will not be too tired as the Philippine Cup conference goes down the wire. They are all valuable to the team’s success.

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PBA 38th Season

Four more days and it’s the 38th season of the PBA! It’s just so different without basketball to watch on TV. Season 38 will finally open this coming September 30, 2012 with each team parading their muses, new jerseys, and newly acquired rookies. Opening ceremony will start at 4:30PM followed by the first game of the season – Global Port Batang Pier against crowd favorite The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

This is going to be the banner year for the Global Port Batang Pier team and PBA fans are excited to see how this team will compete with other teams. Gary David, the league leading scorer from the last season will still be the main man for the Batang Pier. He is joined by high flying forward Rey Guevarra who had a breakout conference in the recently concluded Governors Cup, former rookie of the year Rabeh Al-Hussaini and two-time MVP Willie Miller.

On the other hand, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will parade their two talented rookies - Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen. Mark Caguioa will still be go-to guy of the team but with the addition of L.A Tenorio, the team is expected to be on top of the standings. The team will still have the services of Mike Cortez, Rudy Hatfield and JJ Helterbrand. Allein Maliksi and Dylan Ababou are there also to provide scoring for the team.

With each team beefing up their lineup during the offseason, there’s no doubt that the upcoming PBA season will be more exciting to watch.

As for my favorite team - the Tropang Text Tropang Texters, I am glad that I will still be seeing the same lineup except for Japeth Aguilar since he is no longer part of the team. Coach Norman Black will now call the shots and I am really hoping that they have a wonderful season!

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PBA Rookie Draft 2012

August 19, 2012 was the big day for all PBA aspirants. It was the day whether they will be able to fulfill their dreams or not. Fifty-eight rookies were anxiously waiting for their names to be called by one of the PBA ball clubs. Among the 58 aspirants, only 39 players were drafted leaving 19 players empty handed.

June Mar Fajardo was the star of night by being drafted as first pick overall by no less than the Petron Blaze Boosters. He was joined by Alex Mallari who was drafted third overall. Calvin Abueva was drafted second overall by the Alaska Aces followed by Cliff Hodge who was drafted fourth overall by the Meralco Bolts. I was a bit surprised when the Bolts did not choose Chris Tiu given the fact that Chris is a former Smart Gilas standout which was funded by Manny Pangilinan who also owns the Meralco Bolts.

Barako Bull chose Aldrech Ramos as the fifth overall while Chris Ellis was drafted by Ginebra San Miguel as sixth overall. Then finally, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters drafted Chris Tiu as the seventh overall pick. Keith Jensen of Ginebra San Miguel and Vic Manuel and Jason Deutchmann of Global Port Batang Pier were picked eight, ninth, and tenth respectively.

It was a bit of a crazy night for Sean Anthony who got traded to BMeg and finally to Barako Bull for Aldrech Ramos. To make it clear, Sean Anthony was a former player of Powerade Tigers who is now known as the Global Port Batang Pier. BMeg Llmados got Sean Anthony and Global Port got the ninth pick of BMeg. Then fifteen minutes later, BMeg traded Sean Anthony to Barako Bull to get Aldrech Ramos.

As for the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, they did not have a first round pick. They chose Jaypee Belencion as the 20th overall pick and Jason Escueta as the 30th overall pick. They only got two rookies in their line-up. Present during the draft day were Jayson Castro and Pamboy Raymundo.

Season 38th will start this coming September 30, 2012 and it’s going to be another exciting season for the premier league of the country because of the addition highly competitive players.

For complete list of rookie draft result, you can check out 2012 PBA Draft Result

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37th PBA Leo Awards Winners

Its just so different watching PBA finals without Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in it. They were strutting their stuff last year against the Petron Blaze Boosters to try to chase that rare grand slam feat. They were so close to bringing home the Governor's Cup trophy only to falter in Game 7. It was such a heartbreaking loss for the team because I know they fought really hard to win the series it was just not meant to be. 

Now I am watching the series of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and B-Meg Llamados. I really wish that it is Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters against either one of the teams that I am watching but nonetheless both teams are deserving to be in the finals. I am actually rooting for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to win the series because they really prepared for it and I think the franchise have been waiting for their very first championship trophy for so long now. 

It was also around this time last year that Jimmy Alapag got his very first Most Valuable Player award. I was very happy for him because I know he works really hard to get to where he is right now and is one of the main factors why his team is so doing so well. He is truly a leader and a great play maker. Ali Peek, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, and Ryan Reyes also got an award from last year's Leo Awards. 

This year's Leo Awards also includes several Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters winners. Kelly Williams, Jayson Castro are member of 2nd Mythical Team while Ranidel De Ocampo is a member of the 1st Mythical Team. Ryan Reyes for the second consecutive year is a member of the All Defensive team. Larry Fonacier was nominated in the Sportsmanship category but the award was given to Jvee Casio of the Powerade Tigers. Paul Lee won the Rookie of the Year while Jeff Chan bagged the Most Improved Player. However, the night belongs to Mark Caguioa after winning the Most Valuable Player award. He finally took home his first MVP throphy after 11 long years of waiting. I am not really a fan of Mark Caguioa but he truly deserves it. 

For the complete list of 37th Leo Awards winners: 

All Defensive Team: 

Guard Ryan Reyes 

Guard Jireh Ibanes 

Forward Arwind Santos 

Forward Marc Pingris 

Center Doug Kramer 

2nd Mythical Team: 

Guard Paul Lee 

Guard Jayson Castro 

Forward Jeff Chan 

Forward Kelly Williams 

Center Sonny Thoss 

1st Mythical Team: 

Guard Mark Caguioa 

Guard Gary David 

Forward James Yap 

Forward Arwind Santos 

Center Ranidel De Ocampo 

Sportsmanship Award – JVee Casio (Powerade Tigers) 

Most Improved Player – Jeff Chan (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters) 

Defensive Player of the Year – Marc Pingris (BMeg Llamados) 

Rookie of the Year – Paul Lee (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters) 

Most Valuable Player – Mark Caguioa (Barangay Ginebra Kings)

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What An Amazing Run

It was tough seeing my team lose their game last night. I was not prepared to see them end their season just like that. I thought they will be able to chase their 6^th straight finals appearance but I was wrong. They fell short in the last few seconds of the game. It was a tough game for them; they practically bled for every point. None of them were able to have fiery touch maybe because it was not meant to be.

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters finished the Governor’s Cup in fourth place, two places down from last year where they finished second behind the Petron Blaze Boosters. I know they gave their best effort to try to stay alive for another game but it was just not really for them. They had the chance to steal the game but Paul Harris made a crucial turnover and in the ensuing play Willy Wilson just threw the ball up in the air until the time expires and right then and there their amazing run ended.

It was the last game of Chot Reyes as the coach of Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters. It would have been really be nice to give him another championship ring before he will relinquish his coaching duties to Coach Norman Black. Well, their amazing run may have ended last night but they will also start a new beginning next season. They will come up strong, prepared, and most all healthy to defend their All Filipino crown. Coach Norman Black is an experienced coach having won several championships and I am sure he will continue the winning tradition of the team at his helm.

The team’s early exit will allow all players to finally have that much needed rest to heal their banged up and bruised bodies. The likes of Ranidel De Ocampo, Jared Dillinger, Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carey, Kelly Williams, and Ryan Reyes will be able to recuperate well from their injuries suffered during the season. 

I have so many reasons to be excited when the next season starts because I am sure Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters will display a brand new style of play. The fact that I have not seen how Coach Norman Black steer the Ateneo Blue Eagles to three straight championships in the UAAP is enough for me to get excited next season. I can’t wait to see how he will handle the team and the new role of each player will portray when he will start calling the shots for them and most of all I want to see if he will be able to continue the winning tradition of the franchise.

They may have signed off for now but definitely they will be back in full signal come next season and they will start chasing again that ever elusive grand slam. There will be a lot of exciting things to come and all of them will be up for the challenge.

Keep the faith! Don’t stop believing!

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Jimmy "The Mighty Mouse" Alapag Interview

From the time that he was drafted 10th overall pick by the Talk ‘N Text in 2003, I have been a fan of Jimmy Alapag. With his impressive debut in the Philippine basketball scene, he eventually won Rookie of the Year that year beating out the first overall pick Mike Cortez and his team mate fourth overall pick Harvey Carey for the award. His on-court partnership with former MVP Asi Taulava slowly changed the fate of the struggling Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals. The two of them made beautiful music together on the floor. Their tandem was probably one of the best and strongest the PBA had every seen for years.

Over the years, his game has been moving one notch higher, a testament to that is his MVP plum last year. Though he has been in the league for 9 years now, Jimmy Alapag still remains one of the deadliest point guards in the PBA. He is deadly in the 3-point line and can score too in the shaded lane. 

Though one of the smallest guys in the PBA today, he has a huge heart when it comes to playing basketball. His leadership on and off the court has made Talk N’ Text a dominant team in the PBA today.

Video credit to talkntexttv

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On A Hot Winning Streak

After losing to Rain or Shine in their last elimination game and dropping their first semi finals game against BMeg Llamados, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters are now again back to winning streak. The team is currently on a three game winning streak after beating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters yesterday.

For the second straight games, Paul Harris delivered the goods for the team. He scored 34 points and had 16 rebounds to help the Texters get back at the Elasto Painters. Ranidel De Ocampo continued to shoot well from the floor scattering 17 points, 14 of which he scored in the first half. Though he was limited to 3 points in the second half, it was his lone field goal in the second half that broke the deadlock and from there the Talk ‘N Text did not look back.

Jimmy Alapag scored one of the most crucial baskets of the game against Paul Lee while Kelly Williams and Ali Peek did their job in defending Jamelle Cornley who made a crucial turnover that killed the hope of the Elasto Painters to make an upset.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters made a decisive run in the third quarter thanks to the 3-point shooting of Beau Belga, JR Quiñahan, and Jeffrei Chan. By the end of the third quarter they were only down by a single point after being down by a dozen of points going in to the second half. The Texters however refuses to roll over and allow the E-Painters to make a repeat of their first meeting. Peek and Williams provided the much needed stops and the likes of Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier provided the team with some scoring.

It was not a good night for Jayson Castro though but still made some key baskets going into the crucial stage of the game. He turned the over few times and his shots weren’t falling in. A competitive player that he is, he will definitely make some adjustments going into their next game against the crowd darling Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

Come Wednesday is another do or die game for the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters. This situation is not really new to them, they’ve been in this kind of situation many times before and surely they know what to do because you can under estimate the heart of a champion!

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First Semifinals Defeat

Paul Harris made a history by scoring the first basket in the newly constructed MOA Arena and Jimmy Alapag was the first one to hit a 3-point shot but B-Meg became the first team to win in what could be the newest home of many basketball tournaments here in the country.

It was another tough loss for the team who showed a lot of intensity in the first half but can’t seem to maintain the momentum going into the second half. B-Meg were playing minus their superstar James Yap, he was suffering from back spasm and was in an out in the first half. He did not play the entire second half. It was the perfect time for the Talk ‘N Text to capitalize on the undermanned opponent but they were not able to get the job done. They were still leading going into the last quarter but B-Meg’s Yancy De Ocampo and Rafi Reavis stepped up and helped their team notched a victory.

Paul Harris, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williamns, and Jimmy Alapag finished with atleast 10 points each but they can’t seem to find their baskets going into the crucial stage of the game. I have to give credit to the other team’s defense because they really made it hard for the Tropang Texter’s to hit a shot from the shaded lane. The three-point shooting of the team was also limited as they couldn’t seem to get a basket from beyond the arc.

It was also tough night for Ranidel De Ocampo. He couldn’t get his shots and to make things worst he had 6 stitches for a cut he suffered after colliding with Marc Pingris’ head in the third quarter. Paul Harris was also shaken up after the elbow of Pingris hit the back of his head during a rebound play. It was a very physical game and referees were allowing the players to play hard. They were also non calls from both teams.

The Talk ‘N Text is up against the Meralco Bolts this coming Wednesday. They lost to the Bolts in their very first elimination game and the Texters are raring to get even and get a win to still remain in contention for the Governor’s Cup trophy.

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