Talk ‘N Text renews rivalry with Coke

MANILA, Philippines - The new-look Talk `N Text team renews its rivalry with old nemesis Asi Taulava when it battles an intact Coca-Cola ball club in the opening salvo of the 2008 PBA Philippine Cup on October 4 at the Araneta Coliseum. Now known by their new monicker Tropang Texters, the telecommunication franchise will parade four of its rookie acquisitions in the off-season during the lone 5:30 p.m. opener formally kicking off the 2008-09 playing calendar of Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league. The Tropang Texters will have on their disposals rookie picks Jared Dillinger (no. 2 overall selection), two-time Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jason Castro (no. 3) big man Rob Reyes (no.4) and guard Pong Escobal (no. 11) to go with their old reliable core of Mac Cardona, RenRen Ritualo, Harvey Carey, Ali Peek, Don Allado, Yancy de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag. A colorful opening ceremony that centers on the theme `The PBA cares for the kids’ precedes the rare weekend season opener for the league that will have two explosive doubleheader for a follow up the next day at the Astrodome. On Sunday, action shifts at the Astrodome as Fiesta Cup runner up Air21 clashes with top rookie pick Gabe Norwood and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the first game at 4 p.m. Two hours later, Alaska and takes on a talented San Miguel Beer squad in the main game. The league’s two reigning champions Ginebra (Fiesta Conference) and Sta. Lucia (Philippine Cup) headline the third playing day of the season-opening tournament, crossing paths with each other in the second game of Wednesday twinbill that also features Purefoods against Red Bull. “Now, we’ve got a new team," declared Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes, whose team spent the season break in Italy where it played with several European squads. “We’re younger, more versatile and most importantly, we’ve got a number of veterans. It means we’re competitive at the present while also looking good in the future. The distinction of fully testing how really good the Tropang Texters are belongs to Taulava, the former Talk `N Text franchise player, and a Coca-Cola side that hardly tinkered with its lineup during the off season. Back with Taulava in another tour of duty for the Tigers are Alex Cabagnot, sophomore Ronjay Buenafe, Mark Telan, Nic Belasco, Cesar Catli, Ricky Calimag and the veteran pair of Kenneth Duremdes and John Arigo – the very same cast that came a win short of making the semifinals of the last Fiesta Conference. – GMANews.TV