WHILE most of the attention in the past few weeks is on the classic Philippine Cup titular showdown between San Miguel Beer and Alaska, one powerhouse squad is in the thick of its preparation for its title defense.
Talk ‘N Text is looking forward to defending its Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup crown as the mid-season tournament starts less than a week from now.
The Tropang Texters are already figuring in some intense practice sessions and are also fine-tuning their plays with exhibition games against various clubs from in and out the PBA the past few weeks.
In fact, Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico bared that the Texters prepared early for the second conference and had a little break after being eliminated by Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
‘’We actually started preparing for the second conference at the start of the year. We just finished the Christmas season and we already started practicing,’’ said Uichico.
The soft-spoken Talk ‘N Text tactician added that the team’s early preparation combined with a completely healthy line-up are recipes for a better chance at defending their championship.
‘’Our preparation is going well and we have everyone back now, so it’s just about getting better for us. Of course, we want to win the championship again,’’ said Uichico.
Ivan Johnson, who led Talk ‘N Text to the Commissioner’s Cup title last season, is back with the team for his second tour of duty as import and the Tropang Texters are hoping that they can resume their winning ways with their enigmatic but prolific reinforcement.
Talk ‘N Text opens its title defense against Blackwater in the opening playdate of the Commissioner’s Cup on Feb. 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 4:15 p.m., while Star and Meralco will figure in the second game at 7 p.m.
The Tropang Texters, who somewhat underachieved in the All-Filipino conference, where they only managed to make it to second phase of the quarterfinals despite a loaded line-up, are hoping that they can bounce back solidly in the tournament that they won last season.
Another huge factor that can boost their campaign is the return of longtime superstar Ranidel De Ocampo from injury.
The national team mainstay, who was sidelined for majority of the Philippine Cup after figuring in an accident inside the weight room, is now back practicing with the team and is expected to play right away in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Though De Ocampo had a lengthy lay-off, Uichico believes that his presence, which was sorely missed by Talk ‘N Text in the All-Filipino tilt, will be a huge difference for the squad that boasts of two youthful talents in top-notch rookies Mo Tautuaa and Troy Rosario.
