Texters release Bell to Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text has agreed to waive its rights on Rashad Bell, allowing the Boston U product to return to its original PBA ballclub Coca-Cola, which has decided to drop James Penny.

Curiously, Bell marks his return to the Tigers camp on Friday against the TnT Tropang Texters themselves.

“Talk n Text has graciously agreed to release Rashad Bell, and Rashad will be taking over the chores of James Penny whose services we deeply appreciate,” said Coca-Cola top official JB Baylon.

“The TnT gesture is all the more appreciated in light of the fact that the Tigers’ next assignment is Talk n Text itself,” Baylon added.

Bell was set to arrive last night from New York. His last foreign stint was with the Korean Basketball League.

Coca-Cola cut Penny after the Tigers lost their last four games, the last on missed free throws by Penny versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Friday.

The Tigers had led the field in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference but the string of losses dropped them to fifth with a 4-5 slate.

San Miguel Beer is now the frontrunner with an 8-1 slate, followed by Talk n Text (6-2), B-MEG Derby Ace (5-3) and Alaska Milk (4-3).

In a bid to arrest their slide, the Tigers reenlisted Bell, a hard-working all-around forward who suited up with the Texters last year.

He was too late a hero for Talk n Text as he was able to play only three games – the team’s third import after Tiras Wade and Gary Forbes.

Still, he led all imports in scoring with an average of 31.3 points and ranked third in rebounds with a 9.67 clip.

Bell was then Talk n Text’s original choice but couldn’t fly in right away.

The 6-foot-6 Queens, New York native had his first stint in the local pro league with Coca-Cola in 2007, submitting a whopping average of 38 points. He had a PBA career best of 45 points.

Talk n Text waived its rights on Bell, opting to stick it out with Shawn Daniels.