Reyes sets TNT priorities

Manila, Philippines - While the prospect of nailing a PBA grand slam looms in the horizon, Talk ‘N’ Text coach Chot Reyes said yesterday his immediate priority is to integrate import Maurice (Mo) Baker of Oklahoma State into the Tropa’s scheme of things.

The Texters are within one title of completing a triple crown after capturing the Philippine and Commissioner’s Cups this season. They’ll go for it in the Governors Cup which opens June  11 in Tacloban with Rain Or Shine up against B-Meg. 

So far, only four coaches have bagged a grand slam – Baby Dalupan with Crispa in 1976, Tommy Manotoc with Crispa in 1983, Norman Black with San Miguel Beer in 1989 and Tim Cone with Alaska in 1996. Several coaches came close and fell a title short like Siot Tanquingcen with Ginebra in 2004-05, Cone with Alaska in 1998, Derick Pumaren with Sunkist in 1995, Turo Valenzona with Tanduay in 1986, Dalupan with Crispa in 1985 and 1977 and Dante Silverio with Toyota in 1975.

Reyes admitted that joining Dalupan, Manotoc, Black and Cone in the elite circle of grand slam coaches would be “very special” but before anything, he’ll work on Baker.

“We’re trying not to get ahead of ourselves and focus on integrating our import first,” he said. “Maurice arrived last Sunday and joined us in Boracay.”

Reyes said the celebration for the Commissioner’s Cup wasn’t much different from the Philippine Cup but “it was special in its own way because it was the franchise’s first-ever championship with an import.” Talk ‘N’ Text’s previous titles had come in the All-Filipino conference.

Reyes said Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag are playing for the Texters in the Governors Cup, meaning they won’t join the national team until after the PBA conference – in time for the FIBA-Asia Championships in September. Williams and Alapag won’t play for Smart Gilas in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.

At the moment, Reyes’ concern is to familiarize Baker with his system. The 6-2, 200-pound guard is a legitimate NBA player. In 2004-05, he played a combined five games with the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers. Baker failed to score a point in his brief NBA career.

Baker, 31, played for Dixie Community College in Utah and Oklahoma State before touring the world as an import. His basketball itinerary included stops in Russia, Syria, Mexico, Turkey, Lithuania, France, Puerto Rico and Cyprus. In 2001, Baker played on the US team that took the bronze medal at the World University Games in China. He’s coming off a stint with the Dakota Wizards in the NBA D-League, averaging 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 24 games.

Baker saw action in only two seasons with the Oklahoma State varsity. As a newcomer in 2000-01, he made a major impact on the team. Baker led the Cowboys in five statistical categories – scoring, three-point shooting, free-throw shooting, assists and steals. He registered only the second triple double in school history by compiling 19 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against University of Texas at San Antonio. 

“Baker is a special player,” said Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton. “It’s amazing that with all the great players that have come through this institution – boy, we’ve had a lot of them – that’s only the second triple double. If our big guys could have finished shots, he would have had about 15 assists.” John Lucas, John Starks, ex-PBA import Byron Houston and Tony Allen were among Oklahoma State stars who went on to play in the NBA.

After Baker collected 25 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Iowa State, Sutton was convinced. “He’s unbelievable,” said Sutton. “He rebounds that way in practice, too. I think I embarrassed my big guys by saying, ‘How can this little guy lead the team in rebounding?’ But he’s aggressive, quick and has a nose for the ball.” Baker averaged 6.7 rebounds in his first year with 74 of his 202 total boards coming from the offensive glass.

As an Oklahoma State rookie, Baker shot 31 points against Texas Tech and 10 against Texas. He led the Cowboys to a 72-44 romp over Oklahoma with 26 points and in a rematch, scored 31. He torched Baylor for 29 points, including 6-of-10 triples and fired 27 against Colorado. Baker had 22 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Texas A&M prompting losing coach Melvin Watkins to comment, “he plays with a lot of emotion and having a player around that gives you that kind of emotion is a great thing.”

Baker’s rookie season was marred by a plane crash that killed two teammates. The team traveled for a road game on three planes – two private jets and a Beechcraft Super King Air 200 propeller plane. The Beechcraft crashed after 15 minutes of flight, killing all 10 passengers aboard, including two players, the team’s sports information director and a student manager.

What glows in Baker’s credentials is a championship tradition. He has played for title teams in the Baltic and Lithuania leagues. In 2007, Baker was on the Dakota squad that captured the NBA D-League crown.