AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan
Last season, Norman Black inherited a veteran Talk ‘N Text team and steadily guided the squad to its third straight title in the Philippine Cup.
But while his first tournament with the team was steady sailing, Black encountered rough waters over the rest of the year. The team was ravaged by injuries in the Commissioner’s Cup, but Black was still able to pilot the squad to a semifinals finish.
Talk ‘N Text was DOA at the start of the Governors’ Cup, however, as its remaining core did not join the team until midway through the tournament after a stint with the Gilas Pilipinas national squad in the FIBA Asia tournament. As a result, the mighty Tropang Texters ended up missing the playoffs.
So perhaps people could be forgiven if they tend to overlook Talk ‘N Text ahead of the new PBA season. But it’s best to remember that this remains the core of the squad that has utterly dominated the Philippine Cup the past three years — this is the best local crew in the PBA.
The return of Kelly Williams, if he’s anywhere near his old form, would give the Tropang Texters the best frontcourt tag team in the PBA alongside Ranidel De Ocampo. Jayson Castro continues to emerge as a superstar even as Jimmy Alapag remains effective despite another year in the books.
Sports5 file/Paul Ryan Tan
The challenge for Black would be to work in new acquisitions such Sean Anthony, Jai Reyes, Noy Baclao, and rookie Eloy Poligrates into a Talk ‘N Text core that has been playing for many years. It’s going to be a delicate balancing act, but Black hasn’t won all those championships in the PBA and the UAAP for nothing.
Perhaps a bigger issue for Black would be trying to lessen the load on his veteran stars, who have been battling various injuries because of their grueling schedule as a result of their numerous championship appearances.
All those playoff wars — not to mention the FIBA Asia stint for Alapag, Castro, De Ocampo, and Larry Fonacier — take a toll on their bodies. And as Black knows from last season, a talented lineup would be useless if they’re on the sidelines in their civilian clothes.
