Pals leave for 2-week buildup in San Antonio

The Talk n Text Phone Pals are leaving the country Sunday for a two-week training in San Antonio, Texas as the team is determined to go all the way to win a championship in the coming 33rd PBA season after near-misses last campaign.

The Pals are to attend the PBA Rookie Draft Sunday afternoon at Market! Market! Mall in Taguig then head to the airport for their US trip where they’re scheduled to undergo  training under American coaches and play a series of tune-up games against top-caliber ball clubs.

The Alaska Milk Aces are also leaving for the US after the draft day as part of their bonus for winning the Fiesta Cup over the Pals.

Last year, some Talk n Text players had individual training also in the US and the team participated in the LA Summer League.

The Pals are hopeful they could improve on their second-place finish in the recent Fiesta Cup with the return of FIBA Asia championship veterans Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo.

Talk n Text started its preparation for the coming season with only six players in Ritualo, Yancy de Ocampo, Macmac Cardona, Egay Billones, Donbel Belano and Patrick Fran reporting for practice at the Sports Camp in Taguig yesterday.

Taulava, Alapag, Jay Washington and Harvey Carey join the team in Los Angeles Monday.

Coach Derrick Pumaren will have a formidable team with the return of Taulava, Alapag and Ritualo. The question is who would play longer minutes between Ritualo and the vastly improved Cardona at No. 2 spot.

“It would depend on what they show in practice. They know they have to earn it,” said Pumaren.

Cardona used to play behind Ritualo at two-guard spot but  came through with a breakthrough performance in the Fiesta Cup with Ritualo playing with the RP team. Cardona won the Best Player of the Conference honors in the Fiesta Cup.