On A Hot Winning Streak

Everybody knows that Jayson Castro is now the face of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters. He brings excitement and quickness to the team whenever he is on the court. He is just so quick that it is hard for his opponents to keep him in check. He’s instrumental in all of their 5 wins, however, he injured his hand during their last game against the Barako Bull Energy Cola as a result he did not suit up during their game against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Negros Occidental. 

A lot of people said that Talk ‘N Text’s offense is so different without Jayson Castro and I do have to agree. There’s no quickness in their offense, it’s as if their dribble-drive game is just not there. True that Jayson is an important piece of the team but basketball is not just a one man show, it’s a team sport and even without their reliable scorer, the team was able to notch their 6th win in as many games. 

The team didn’t really have a perfect offensive night as they struggled to make some baskets. Their free throws weren’t there either. Larry Fonacier, a known steady free throw shooter missed a lot of free throws including the last two that left a small hope for the Rain or Shine to tie the game. Good thing they were able to make a good defensive stop on JR Quiñahan in the next possession. 

Both teams struggled all night, I am not sure if it’s the defense or just the fact that they were playing in a different venue. Jeff Chan, the league leading scorer only scored 4 points in his 28 minutes of play. Jervy Cruz made up for the lack luster performance of their top scorer by scoring 14 points along with 12 boards. Jimmy Alapag led all scorers with his 15 points and 7 assists. 

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters next opponent is the Alaska Aces this coming November 02, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game time is 7:30PM. The Aces are also on a hot winning streak thanks to their super rookie Calvin Abueva.

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Five and Counting!

To an avid fan, it is such a joy to see your favorite team leading in the standings in the early stages of the Philippine Cup. Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, the defending champions is looking for a 3 peat for them to keep the Jun Bernadino trophy for good. Looking at their win-loss record right now, the goal is just within reach. It looks like the guys are very comfortable with the new system of their new head coach because they haven’t lost a single game since the opening of the conference. 

They just notched their fifth straight win last night at the expense of the Barako Bull Energy Cola. It was a low scoring ball game with both teams trying to limit their opponent’s offensive weapons with their suffocating defense. Norman Black known as a defense oriented mentor wanted his troop to be known not just as a good offensive but a good defensive team as well and they just showed it last night. 

The game was tied at 77 when Jayson Castro hit a crucial three point shot off the pass of Jimmy Alapag, the shot was the final basket. The texters then applied a good and honest defense throughout the remainder of the game. Even though he injured his left hand early in the first period, Jay Castro led the scoring load of the team with 15 points. Larry Fonacier and Ali Peek were also in double digit scoring 13 and 10 points apiece. 

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters next assignment is the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who’s also on winning streak after a come from behind win against the San Mig Coffee Mixers. The game will be played at Victorias City, Negros Occidental this coming October 27, 2012. Game time is 6:30 in the evening. 

TNT nation let’s keep the faith and hopefully we can make it to six in a row!

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First Game: No Problem

Even if I wanted to watch the first game of Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters on TV, my work doesn’t allow me to do so. Game starts at 5:15PM but my off from work is not until 6PM, on top of that I need to travel approximately 30 minutes before reaching home. So I just watch the first half of the game through online streaming. What I don’t like about online streaming is that it keeps on buffering every now and then. Well anyways, here’s what I have observed from my beloved team in the PBA…

Right off the bat, the team did not have a problem getting the ball to the rim. The offense was there right from the first possession. All starting five players were able to contribute, enabling the team to put an early double digit lead. Their defense was also good as they were able to hold down the offense of the Meralco Bolts. That’s one of the best things about having the same line-up from the previous season because there’s no adjustments needed and players know each other very well.

Going into the second quarter, the team is still leading but Meralco Bolts is slowly picking up their offense. They were able to cut the lead down to 10 points at one point. That’s probably the last sequence I’ve seen from the game since I was already heading out of work. Good thing when I got home, I heard a good news from Mico Halili and Kenneth Duremdes (AKTV Center’s hosts) that Talk ‘N Text won via overtime.

Well it was quite a surprised that the game went to overtime considering that they were leading by as much as 16 points in the second quarter. Well, a win is still a win! So I’ll take that one. As what I have learned from the hosts, the Tropang Texters squandered a 24-point lead in the third quarter allowing the Meralco Bolts to send the game into overtime. Good thing though, Talk ‘N Text showed their championship poise during the extension period beating the retooled Meralco Bolts by only two points.

Jared Dillinger had an impressive night chipping in 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was not alone though as six other players from the team scored in double digits. Harvey Carey also became the 38th member of the 2000 defensive rebounds club. Jayson Castro handled the back court task since Jimmy Alapag was not able to play due to a calf injury. Interestingly, all players that Coach Nash fielded in were able to score. A total team effort, I must say!

Kudos to Coach Nash for the great game and first getting the first win as a PBA coach!

Let’s keep the faith!

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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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