Talk N Text confident Bayno will call shots

Talk N Text team manager Frankie Lim yesterday said he is confident that American Bill Bayno will be able to call the shots for the Phone Pals when they launch their 2002 Philippine Basketball Assocaition (PBA) campaign with a game against Purefoods on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bayno, whose appointment as Talk N Text head coach has been opposed by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) led by Chito Narvasa, graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Holiday Inn Hotel and said he, too, is confident of securing his permit from the Department of Labor.

"I think he’ll be able to coach for us. We don’t see any problem with his papers with the labor department. But just in case, he’ll be allowed to join us on the bench like the case of Ron Jacobs with San Miguel Beer," said Lim.

Bayno, who led the University of Las Vegas to three conference titles in the US NCAA since 1995, said he has worked hard with the Phone Pals since arriving in the country last month. He said the BCAP opposing his stint as Talk N Text coach is a form of a challenge for him to prove himself once he gets the green light.

"It hasn’t been tiring but at times it’s frustrating because I don’t have the answers to all the questions. I haven’t been able to talk to the BCAP but I appreciate Mr. (Chito) Narvasa’s comments made in public that this is not a personal battle between me, and the BCAP. I also understand their position. I’m just hoping that they give me a chance," he said.

"Saturday will be fun. We (at Talk N Text) have a pretty good indication where we’re in right now. Pressure defense and up-tempo offense will be the focus of our game. This (coaching) is what I love to do. And I’m not getting tired (of the BCAP stand) because it’s part of the business. I think I could get along with all the coaches," Bayno added.

The BCAP had threatened to go to court if Bayno gets to coach Talk N Text since it would go against a previous ruling by the labor department that no foreigner will be allowed to coach in the PBA while there are local coaches who can handle the job. Talk N Text, however, stood firm and said it was willing to face BCAP in court.