Expectations high on TNT reinforcement Wade

MANILA, Philippines – Talk ‘N Text import Tiras Wade knows the expectations on him are high. The Tropang Texters afterall, are coming off a successful title conquest in the recent Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup. But the man with the braided hairstyle said he’s up to the task, vowing to bring the same winning spirit displayed by the franchise just a conference ago. “Their confidence is high with a winning run like that. I’ll try to bring it from there and bring the same winning attitude." Wade was with the rest of the reinforcements Wednesday at the PBA office where formal measurement were done on them. None among the nine of the 10 imports exceeded the 6-foot-6 height limit. Shawn Daniels, the hulking Burger King reinforcement, ended up as the tallest at 6-foot-5 and 5/8, with Scooter McFadgon of the Barako Bull the smallest at 6-foot-3 and 13/16. Only Galen Young of Alaska wasn’t around. He has yet to arrive Thursday, but is expected to meet the grade and play for the Aces once they begin their campaign in bouncing back from a painful Philippine Cup stint on March 4 against Ginebra. Sporting a red t-shirt, ankle socks, long shorts and slippers, Wade looked bigger than his 6-foot-5 and 3/8 height. He was the man everyone seemed to decipher, a first timer in the PBA but already loaded with a lot of pressure in trying to steer the Tropang Texters to a second straight title romp. The other imports who came by at the PBA office for measurement were Rod Nealy, Ginebra (6-5 1/16); Anthony Johnson, Sta. Lucia (6-4 15/16); Brian Hamilton, Purefoods (6-4 ¾); Charles Clark III, Rain or Shine (6-5 1/4); Nate Carter, San Miguel Beer (6-5 1/16); and JJ Sullinger, Coca-Cola (6-4 1/4). Ginebra is the defending champion, winning last year’s title with seven-footer Chris Alexander around over Air21 in seven games. – GMANews.TV