The Final Score: The mysterious success of Talk 'N Text

How? It's a simple question with often complicated answers. How can a decimated PBA team stay on top? How can we explain the absurdity of Talk 'N Text's 10-3 record? Other teams struggle to win actual games. Talk 'N Text, on the other hand, struggles to assemble enough healthy bodies for scrimmage. Yet, they're number one. And it's beyond strange. How do they do it? I vow not to answer with cliches. Hence, I can't respond with, "The will to win." Surely, most PBA players have this. Surely, most PBA teams run on this basic notion. Everybody, we assume, wants to win. Not just Talk 'N Text. Victory is the most common goal. But in truth, some simply want to win more than others. I also can't answer the question by stating, "Character." Although, Talk 'N Text players point to character as the driving force of their success. Like basketball's version of inner strength. Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey say they win because of the team's character. How can Talk 'N Text possess more character than others? Are they that special? Finally, I can't answer the question with the godfather of all sports cliches, "It's all about heart." I won't write it. I won't say it. It is anathema to level-headed sports writing. Save it for pre-game pep talks. Save it for fans who can't separate fantasy from reality. I will not fall into that trap. Even if the temptation to do so is strong. Because Talk 'N Text must be treated like all others. They need to win games like everyone else. They deal with injuries like everyone else. What makes them distinct anyway? Aaron Aban's torn ACL? Jared Dillinger's bruised Achilles heel? Ryan Reyes' sprained MCL? Ranidel de Ocampo's calf strain? Jayson Castro's bruised ankle? Jimmy Alapag's sprained ankle and calf muscle? Kelly Williams' broken nose? Ali Peek's near-death experience? The Tropang Texters lose players. Yet they still win games. Inexplicable. And for the rest of the field, annoying. Chot Reyes is running out of cliche answers to nagging questions. "Coach, papano kayo nananalo?" Maybe after TNT's next victory, Chot, to snap the monotony of post-game questions, will be forced to answer, "Because of me." Winning has become such a habit for Talk 'N Text. People, therefore, aren't bothered by how Talk 'N Text wins games. With Shawn Weinstein, Magnum Membrere and Bam Gamalinda on the floor. With Gilbert Lao scoring fast-break lay-ups. With more All-Stars in jeans than in shorts. With Japeth Aguilar converting unexpected three-point plays to complete unexpected come-back wins. Rag-tag teams are supposed to claw their way to subsistence, not climb their way to the top. But Talk 'N Text is staging a miracle in the Philippine Cup. How are they doing it? The most level-headed reply I can think of is a shrug. If most teams can't solve the mystery of Talk 'N Text's winning ways, why should I even try? - GMA News