By WAYLON GALVEZ

Talk ’N Text hopes to add the season-ending Fiesta Cup trophy and become the first team to win back-to-back PBA championships.

Since the pro league changed its original format from three conferences to two conferences five years ago, no ballclub has won two PBA championships in a single season.

Following their Game 7 conquest of Alaska Milk last Wednesday to win the Philippine Cup, the Tropang Texters? are in good position to win their third title.

To succeed, TNT coach Chot Reyes said it is important that their import will jell quickly with the team.

"We’re hoping that the momentum of winning the all-Filipino would get us through," said Reyes during the SCOOP sa Kamayan Session in Padre Faura, Manila.

"But we’re always candid that we have very little time, two weeks (to prepare). It’s a long tournament. What’s important for us now is for the players to rest and recharge. The fortune of this team is really going to hang on the locals."

Barangay Ginebra won the Philippine Cup while San Miguel Beer bagged the Fiesta Cup when the two-conference format was first implemented in 2004-05.

Since then, the titles went to different teams: Red Bull, Purefoods, Ginebra, Alaska and Sta. Lucia.

The Texters, who have yet to win an import-flavored tournament, have tapped Tiras Wade, a former standout of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns who had stints in South America and Europe.

The 6-foot-6 Wade, who recently played in Mexico and saw action in Argentina, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Dominican Republic, is expected to arrive next week.

"He’s an all-around player, bagay sa team namin," said Reyes who attended the weekly session with team officials Ricky Vargas and Frankie Lim, as well as PBA Finals MVP Mark Cardona, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo.

"He (Wade) is a natural guard but he can also play inside. We needed somebody who can play inside because ’yun ang kailangan ng team namin," Reyes added.

Reyes said that TNT has other options, including rehiring J.J. Sullinger, the team’s import in 2006-07 Fiesta Cup.

Sullinger helped TNT reach the finals where the Texters lost to Alaska in Game 7.

However, Sullinger will be playing for Coca-Cola instead as the team’s temporary import.

Reyes said they may acquire original choice Rashad Bell, who had a previous stint with Coke two seasons ago.

"But he’s still playing in Hungary so we’ll see first if Wade is okay," he said.

Reyes said that winning the import-flavored Fiesta Cup ¾ to some degree ¾ depends on the reinforcement the teams will get.

"Pag may import kasi suwertihan e. Kung masuwerte ka na magaling na import ang nakuha mo, or magaling nga ’yung import na nakuha mo biglang nagka-offer sa iba, biglang umalis o nagka-topak," he said.

"There’s lot of things with import, we know that very well. Mahirap din ’yung import conference in that sense, pero ’yung all-Filipino alam natin lahat ng ibang teams ’yun din ang pinaghahandaan. They really put their best foot forward," Reyes added.

Reyes mentioned San Miguel Beer, Alaska, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs and defending champion Barangay Gineba as the teams to beat in the Fiesta Cup.


http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20090214148091.html