Coping with a higher purpose

At a recent team meeting, Talk ‘N’ Text’s alternate PBA governor Ricky Vargas laid out two options for the Tropa in navigating its course in the Commissioner’s Cup – set a goal for the conference or try to survive on a game-to-game basis.

“It’s not easy for the players,” said Vargas. “You can see they’re tired. Kelly (Williams) has gone on an indefinite medical leave while Jared (Dillinger) is recovering from a bruised knee. We’ve played in six of the last seven finals. With Kelly out, six of our players are trying out for the national team and they all want to make it. I told the guys they’re playing for a higher purpose with Gilas but Jimmy (Alapag) spoke in behalf of the team to accept the challenge of going for the championship in the Commissioner’s Cup.”

Vargas said with a 5-6 record, the Texters are still in the hunt for a second, third or fourth place seeding in the playoffs. “The guys don’t want to play on a game-to-game basis, they want to set a goal,” he continued. “They’re warriors who play with a lot of pride. They want to win another championship for MVP (team owner Manny V. Pangilinan) and the franchise.”

The Tropa has three games left in its elimination schedule – Globalport in Iloilo tomorrow, Barangay Ginebra on April 14 and Petron on April 17. A sweep will raise the Texters’ record to 8-6. Either Alaska or Rain Or Shine will move to 9-3 after their meeting tonight so first place is now out of Talk ‘N’ Text’s reach. The Alaska-Rain Or Shine loser must drop its last two assignments for the Tropa to gain a playoff for second spot, assuming no other team makes it to nine wins. Teams with a shot at reaching nine wins are the Alaska-Rain Or Shine loser tonight, Petron (6-4 with four games left), Ginebra (6-5 with three games left) and Meralco (5-5 with four games left).

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Vargas said losing Williams was a huge blow. “This isn’t a retirement for Kelly,” said Vargas. “We want him to keep the window open for a comeback when he feels ready. He’s taking his wife and two kids back to the US. We’re open to helping out Kelly in his treatment. Kelly has provided for his family’s future with his PBA earnings. He feels with the medication he takes, he doesn’t get enough quality time with his wife and kids because he’s always tired coming from practice or playing games.”

Williams, 31, was diagnosed to be suffering from thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder where the immune system eats up platelets, in 2009. His medication includes taking steroids and a blood drip form of chemotherapy every month. Lately, he has been depressed because of his health condition.

Vargas said coach Norman Black is hoping to get more production from his local cast to support import Donnell Harvey. “With Kelly out, we need Rabeh (Al-Hussaini) to step up,” he said. “Donnell can’t do it alone, he’s the type of import who needs local support, and we’ve got to be ready to provide it. We don’t want to drop to fifth or sixth where we’ll face teams with better records. Right now, we’re struggling defensively and coach Norman is determined to address that issue.”

In the Tropa’s five wins, the Texters gave up an average of only 84 points but in the six losses, it shot up to 98. The worst loss so far was a 31-point blowout to Rain Or Shine last March 24 with defensive guard Ryan Reyes playing only three minutes. When Talk ‘N’ Text lost a 107-100 decision to Ginebra, Reyes was out with a knee injury. No question, Reyes is Black’s top defender and he’s got to be in harness if the Texters intend to improve defensively as a unit. Last Wednesday, Reyes was back in the starting lineup and contributed 12 points in 25 minutes. He energized the Texters during his time on the floor and would’ve been the hero if he made either one of his two corner-pocket jumpers in the dying seconds as San Mig Coffee escaped with an 83-82 win.

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Harvey finished with 19 points and eight rebounds in 40 minutes but while he played hard-nosed physical post defense against Denzel Bowles, wasn’t an intimidating factor in protecting the rim. He’s the only import in the conference without a single blocked shot in six games. It’s no wonder that Talk ‘N’ Text ranks last in the league in blocked shots and in field goal percentage allowed at .441.

Harvey was particularly impressive in compiling 38 points and 17 rebounds in the Texters’ 93-85 overtime win over Petron last March 22. In that game, Petron was held scoreless during the entire five-minute extension, an indication of the Tropa’s defensive capability.

Batting less than 50 percent in compiling a 5-6 record, Talk ‘N’ Text finds itself in unfamiliar territory as a team out of the top five in the standings. But the Tropa should recover in time with Ali Peek back in action, Reyes slowly regaining his premium minutes and Dillinger expected to be reactivated. The Texters are out to prove they’re still serious title contenders. Besides, they now want to win another one not just for MVP and the franchise but also for Williams.