Guess what? Things have changed for the better. In fact, when Talk ‘n Text became the first team to beat Red Bull in the Philippine Basketball Association Selecta All-Filipino Cup, the Phone Pals did so with two players outside of Taulava stepping up.
Of the two, it was Alex Crisano who starred for the Phone Pals, burying eight points in the third quarter to finish off the Thunder in that stretch.
"We wouldn’t have won the game without Alex," said American coach Paul Woolpert.
Of course, Crisano wasn’t the only player who helped Talk ‘n Text beat the Thunder. New recruit Bong Alvarez, the flamboyant professional known for his high-leaping ability and his journeys in the basketball world, also starred for the Phone Pals.
Alvarez made five triples in the first half as he kept the Phone Pals within striking distance despite the terrible shooting of Taulava.
"Pala-alalay lang ako. Pag inipit si Asi, ready lang akong pumukol. Ang maganda kay Asi pag hirap na siya sa ilalim, pinapasa niya talaga," said Alvarez, who finished with 17 points in that 77-67 win at the Ynares center.
But it was Crisano who led the turnaround in the third period. He finished with 16 points, making all his eight attempts from the field and joining Taulava in making sure Davonn Harp and Mick Pennisi not dominate inside.
"Alex was huge," said Woolpert. This website shared his sentiment, naming Crisano the Player of the Week from Nov. 11-17.
And if Woolpert is to believed, this won’t be the last for the tattooed Filipino-Italian.
"I keep telling guys and I keep telling Alex that talents wise, he is probably the most gifted player in the league. He can shoot the ball, he can jump right out of the gym and he is very strong," Woolpert said.
"I told him there is nothing he can’t do if he puts his mind to it," he added.
Others considered for the award were Dondon Hontiveros and Nic Belasco of San Miguel and Edwin Bacani and Chris Calaguio of Shell.