Asi Taulava is returning to action after the Asian Games and may well find himself facing a stiff challenge right away against Marlou Aquino.
But even before the opening buzzer at the Astrodome, Talk N Text has found itself deep in battle off-court with local coaches over the team’s right to hire a foreign mentor.
Talk N Text team manager Frankie Lim informed the PBA Commissioner’s Office the Phone Pals will be handled by CBA All-Star coach Paul Woolpert although they had yet to secure a working permit for the American mentor at press time.
"Our lawyers are working on it and we’re looking forward to playing our first game against Sta. Lucia with Woolpert calling the shots," said Lim.
But Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa said they have made some legal moves to bar Woolpert from sitting on the Talk N Text bench.
"Kung magma-magic sila, pwede siyang makakuha ng permit bukas. But we have filed our opposition on Woolpert’s appointment. The right procedure is to have a hearing first before DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) makes the resolution. Up to now, we’re not called for a hearing," said Narvasa.
Narvasa said they would immediately appeal the case if Woolpert is issued a working permit.
Bill Bayno was able to coach Talk N Text in the season’s first two conferences with the BCAP unable to make its move at the right time. BCAP made an appeal but the case was still unresolved despite Bayno giving up the job.
"Nalinlang nila kami kay Bayno, pero hindi na kami magpapaisa uli," said Narvasa.
Lim said he may handle the team or assistant coaches Ariel Vanguardia and Aric del Rosario if they failed to gain the needed papers for Woolpert.
Taulava and the Phone Pals clash with Aquino and the Realtors at 7:30 p.m. after the Purefoods Hotdogs and the FedEx Express battle at 5:30 p.m.
The Hotdogs seek the early solo lead in the tourney after opening their campaign with a 71-63 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings Sunday.