MANILA, Philippines – Kasalukuyang nagpapagaling si Talk ‘N’ Text guard Jimmy Alapag ng kanyang calf strain na nakuha niya sa nakaraang 17th Asian Games at umaasang makakapag-ensayo sa susunod na dalawang linggo.
At habang wala pa siya ay humahanap naman si head coach Jong Uichico ng paraan para manalo sa 2014 PBA Philippine Cup.
Noong Biyernes ay nakapasok ang Texters sa win column matapos talunin ang NLEX, 103-81 para sa unang panalo ni Uichico matapos palitan si Norman Black noong offseason.
Ang 52-anyos na si Uichico ay may walong PBA titles, anim dito ay sa San Miguel Beer at dalawa sa Barangay Ginebra.
Siya ay naging coaching consultant ng Meralco at Talk ‘N’ Text bago iniluklok bilang bagong mentor ng Tropang Texters.
“I’ve always been a big man-type of coach,” ani ni Uichico. “Now, we don’t have a natural center. We’re starting Rob (Reyes) in the middle and rota-ting Kelly (Williams), Jay (Washington) and Harvey (Carey). We’re still missing Jimmy and we played Ranidel (de Ocampo) only a few minutes in the last game as he slowly gets back into the groove.”
Sinabi ni Uichico na ginagamit niya ang mga sistema nina Black at dating Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes.
“We’re all getting used to each other,” ani Uichico. “We’re taking it step by step. Right now, we’re just finding ways to win. We’re working hard at practice and making adjustments.”
Sa offseason, kinuha ng Tropa sina rookies Kevin Alas at Matt Ganuelas bukod pa kina veterans Jay Washington at Rob Labagala. Nawala na sa koponan sina K. G. Canaleta, Noy Baclao at Jai Reyes, habang ang mga holdovers ay sina Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Jayson Castro, Williams, Carey, De Ocampo, Elmer Espiritu, Rob Reyes, Danny Seigle, Aaron Aban at Alapag. (QH)