Texters await Alapag’s return

MANILA, Philippines - Talk ‘N’ Text guard Jimmy Alapag is still recovering from a calf strain suffered at the recent Asian Games but will resume practice today as new head coach Jong Uichico looks for ways to keep head above water until the Mighty Mouse’s return in at least a week in the PBA Philippine Cup .

Last Friday, the Texters broke into the win column at NLEX’ expense, 103-81, as Uichico booked his first victory at the helm since taking over from Norman Black in the offseason. Uichico, 52, has collected eight PBA titles, six with San Miguel Beer and two with Barangay Ginebra. He was a coaching consultant at Meralco and Talk ‘N’ Text before his elevation to the Tropa’s top bench job.

Uichico could’ve used Alapag on the floor when the Tropa lost a 100-98 decision to Alaska at the Smart Araneta Coliseum the other night. The Texters were on top, 98-96, when rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser hastily passed the ball to a streaking Ranidel de Ocampo with 19 seconds left. The ball bounced off De Ocampo’s leg and went out of bounds, allowing the Aces to tie and eventually win on a buzzer-beating layup by Calvin Abueva.

“We had two turnovers in the last 20 seconds to decide the game,” said Uichico. “We’re working on getting ourselves mentally stronger in game-winning situations. It’s part of the process.” Missing Alapag and lacking a natural center are handicaps but no one is making excuses.

“I’ve always been a big man-type of coach,” said Uichico. “We’re starting Rob (Reyes) in the middle and rotating other guys at the five spot.” Kelly Williams, Jay Washington, Ranidel de Ocampo and Harvey Carey are in Uichico’s center platoon.

Uichico said he’s implementing an amalgam of systems from Black and another former Talk ‘N’ Text coach Chot Reyes. “We’re all getting used to each other,” he said. “We’re taking it step by step and making adjustments.”

In the offseason, the Tropa brought in rookies Kevin Alas and Rosser and veterans Jay Washington and Rob Labagala. Gone from last season’s roster are K. G. Canaleta, Noy Baclao and Jai Reyes. The holdovers are Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Jayson Castro, Williams, Carey, De Ocampo, Elmer Espiritu, Rob Reyes, Danny Seigle, Aaron Aban and Alapag.

The good news is Castro is back healthy. He sat out the Philippines’ last assignment against Senegal at the FIBA World Cup in Spain and missed the entire Asian Games due to a left knee injury. Castro got an extended rest and underwent therapy to open the season ready to play. In Talk ‘N’ Text’s 101-81 loss to Ginebra last Oct. 19, Castro compiled 19 points, two rebounds and four assists in 33:32 minutes. And in last Friday’s win over the Road Warriors, Asia’s No. 1 point guard delivered 15 points, four rebounds and nine assists in 32:20.

Talk ‘N’ Text’s next game is against Rain Or Shine at the Big Dome on Sunday.

Uichico is backed up by assistants Nash Racela, Josh Reyes and Bong Ravena and consultant Tab Baldwin. “Tab brings decades of experience playing at the highest level, four World Cups and one Olympics not to mention countless qualifiers and Euroleague tournaments,” said team manager Aboy Castro. “He’s a sounding board for Jong, the staff and the players, similar to what Tex Winter was for Phil Jackson. It’s the same role that Tab played for Chot during the past two summers.”

Castro said Racela, Reyes and Ravena also play key roles. “Nash brings years of championship experience in the MBA, PBL, D-League, PBA and the national team,” continued Castro. “He helps out in game preparations, practice planning and most importantly, in in-game adjustments. It’s always good to have another person on the bench who thinks as a head coach does.

“Josh scouts the opponents, does all the video work and runs the practice team. Since he’s the expert in the dribble drive motion offense, he has taken a more active role teaching the offense as Jong has decided to use this offense. We’ve invested and sent Josh to the US multiple times to learn this offense directly from the inventor Vance Wahlberg.

“Bong works with the players to polish their skills before and after the main practice. As a former player in the UAAP, national team, MBA and PBA, he brings the player’s perspective to the game.”

As for recruiting a natural five, Castro said all PBA teams, except for San Miguel Beer with JuneMar Fajardo and Ginebra with Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, are on the lookout for bigs. “But remember that Purefoods won four straight (titles) without any of those dominant centers,” he pointed out. “If we can find a way to neutralize the height advantage that other teams have on us then we can be competitive every game.”

Castro said Alapag isn’t being rushed to come back. “It’s best that he returns when he’s completely healthy,” he noted. “Then, build on his fitness and conditioning as the conference progresses. It’s a relatively short conference. By the third week of December, it’s already the playoffs. We need to make sure that everybody stays healthy.”

Aside from Jayson Castro, Williams has been a consistent contributor for Talk ‘N’ Text so far this season. Williams had 20 points and 11 boards against Ginebra and 18 points and five rebounds against NLEX. De Ocampo sat out the Ginebra game then reported for duty against NLEX, collecting four points and two rebounds in 13:32. Washington was scoreless in the first game but erupted for 19, including 5-of-11 triples, in the NLEX blowout.

Alas, 22, and Rosser, 24, are fitting smoothly in Uichico’s system. Alas scored 10 points in his pro debut while Rosser had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists against NLEX. In the Alaska loss, Alas hit 15 points and Rosser compiled eight points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots.