MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text, made more formidable with the acquisition of Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, revved up to a 103-93 victory over Coca-Cola with its souped-up lineup last night in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
But the Texters had to rely mainly on sheer talent to beat the Tigers and their new import Rashad Bell with Williams and Reyes groping their way to the franchise system with only one workout after the mega trade deal with Sta. Lucia.
Seven players scored in double figures with two coming through with double-double numbers as Talk n Text sustained its hot run, notching its sixth straight win and its seventh in nine games overall.
Bell struggled in his return stint to Coca-Cola, making only 18 points and five rebounds as the Tigers reeled to their fifth straight defeat.
“I have to give credit to Kelly and Ryan. They’re in an unfamiliar situation but they contributed right away. Credit also goes to the other guys who made it easy for Kelly and Ryan to assimilate to their new team,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes.
“It feels great wearing this uniform. It’s a new beginning, and as I’ve said wherever I land, I’ll play my best,” said Ryan Reyes.
“It feels great to wear one. Three months ago, I’d none,” said Williams, recalling the blood disorder problem that jeopardized his career.
Williams, the 2007 Rookie of the Year awardee and 2008 MVP, got 13 points, four rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal in 24 minutes of initial action as a TnT Texter.
Reyes, the 2008 top freshman, tallied five points, three rebounds and one assist in his own TnT debut.
Shawn Daniels piled up 23 points and 17 rebounds with Mark Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jared Dillinger, Harvey Carey and Jimmy Alapag adding at least 10 points each on the night Chot Reyes, Ryan Reyes and Williams marked a reunion of sort.
The TnT coach was the one who discovered Williams in the United States, bringing him over to play for the RP team that competed in the 2007 Tokushima Asian joust. Reyes, meanwhile, was then a member of the Cebuana Lhuillier RP developmental team.
“This is a reunion for us. We’ve gone full circle,” said Reyes.
Alaska Milk banked on a late run to beat Rain or Shine in a neck-and-neck battle, pulling off an 82-73 win to finish at joint fourth place with Barangay Ginebra at the close of the first round of the elimination phase.
“I’m not happy to be at No. 4 but I’m relieved to be there. We could easily be at No. 9 or No. 10,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.