Secrets of Texters' success

Former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, who represents Talk ‘N’ Text in the pro league’s Board of Governors, said of the three titles that the PLDT franchise has won since 2003, this year’s journey was the sweetest.

“There was a lot of pressure on the team to win,” said Vargas. “We topped the eliminations and were favored to win it all. In the finals, we were up, 2-0, then San Miguel tied it up. The pressure got even more intense. I sat beside our spiritual adviser Fr. Ed (Africa) during the series because being with Fr. Ed has a calming effect on me. I would’ve gotten too nervous and excited if I sat beside somebody else.”

After Talk ‘N’ Text lost Game 4 in the finals, Vargas said there was tension in the Tropa’s camp. PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan was upset. Texters coach Chot Reyes was distraught, particularly as the Tropa let Game 4 slip away with poor on-court decisions and atrocious free throw shooting in the last few minutes. Someone said Reyes kicked chairs around in the dressing room to express his disgust. Kelly Williams, who was listed “missing in action” for scoring only two points in Game 3, thought his blood disorder problem had recurred and went to the hospital for a thorough check-up. And San Miguel had momentum on its side moving into Game 5.

Smart Sports director Patrick Gregorio wracked his brains for a way to reassure the Texters and came up with a brilliant idea. With his assistant Yvette Ruiz, Gregorio gave each player a red rose during practice the day after the Game 4 setback. The rose had an attached note saying, “We believe you can.” The message was delivered straight to the heart. Williams was later cleared of a recurrence of his illness and regained his confidence.

 “After Game 5, Mr. Pangilinan took the team out for dinner,” related Reyes. “We were a win away from clinching but you didn’t hear anything from him about it. No pressure, no promises, no announcements. It was typical MVP. All he asked was how he could help the team, what we needed. He didn’t want us to stray from our focus. He just wanted to tell us that he’s always around to do what he can for us.”

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In the dressing room just before the title-clinching Game 6, Gregorio thought of another “gimmick.” This time, he sent each player a pocket rosary with another note saying “We believe you can now.” The players responded with a championship performance that night. Gregorio called it a victory that came from “within.”

Aside from the championship cash bonus provided in their PBA contracts, the players and the coaching staff got a Toyota Vios car each. “It’s the same kind of car for everyone from Emerson Oreta to Jimmy Alapag,” said Gregorio. “It was Mr. Pangilinan’s way of emphasizing our team philosophy.”

Coaching consultant Norman Black shared in the blessings. “Norman played a big part in the team’s success,” said Vargas. “His job was to contribute to our victory. It wasn’t in any way to take credit away from anyone. Norman spoke to the team before Chot did in the dugout before Game 6. Everyone did his part and that made the victory even more gratifying.”

Gregorio said Ryan Reyes’ courage was exemplary. His younger brother Alan died in a car accident three days before the finals began. Reyes missed Game 3 to attend his brother’s funeral in Los Angeles but returned to average 13.7 points the rest of the way. Reyes wound up averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 31.6 minutes in five games during the finals.

Reyes’ brother suffered a cracked skull and his casket was never opened. He and his pregnant girlfriend were on the car pool fast lane in the Anaheim freeway when their vehicle was struck head-on. A source said the fast lane was open for counter-flow traffic during rush hours and police probably failed to put up signs reverting to one-way movement at the time of the accident – which was 1 a.m.

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By the way, coach Reyes left for Brussels last night to attend a seminar on leadership for organizational impact conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership on Feb. 14-18. He will be back in Manila on the 21st in time for the Texters’ first Commissioners Cup game against Smart Gilas on Feb. 25.

“The course is two-fold,” said Reyes before departing. “It will be to enhance my own leadership skills as a coach and to prepare my involvement in the leadership academy that PLDT is setting up.”

As for playing against Smart Gilas, Reyes said he’s looking forward to locking horns with coach Rajko Toroman. “Coach Rajko and I are good friends but when we’re on opposite teams, expect a war,” said Reyes.

The Commissioner’s Cup is a short tournament with four teams dropping out of contention after the single-round eliminations. Smart Gilas opens its campaign against Talk ‘N’ Text and closes the eliminations with a game against Meralco.