Slumping Tropang Texters tap Fiba championship veteran

MANILA, Philippines - IS Talk 'N Text’s ambitious back-to-back title aspiration already in peril? Chot Reyes and the rest of the coaching staff don’t think so. Not with a new import around. In a bid to save the team’s slumping campaign, the Tropang Texters are tapping the services of a young and talented player of the Panamanian national team to the Fiba Americas Championship. His name is Gary Forbes, a 6’7 standout who played against some of the best players in the NBA during the Fiba regionals. A product of the University of Massachusetts, Forbes has been described by scouts in the United States as a skilled player, mentally and physically. In his two seasons at Massachusetts, the 24-year-old Forbes became the only player aside from the legendary Julius Erving to score at least 1,000 points. He was also chosen as last year’s Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. While playing for Panama’s national team in 2007, Forbes averaged 17.3 points in four games. Forbes played in the NBA Development League in the 2008-09 season and suited up for 22 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce before being traded to the Tulsa 66ers. In August last year, he played in the Italian League. Forbes will replace Tiras Wade, who was sacked by the team after having a falling out with coach Chot Reyes during the Tropang Texters’ losing cause against the San Miguel Beermen. Meanwhile, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico is expected to meet with injured star Mark Caguioa to discuss the cager’s future in the Philippine Basketball Association. Caguioa has undergone therapy in the United States under the supervision of famed NBA doctor Steve Lombardo. –GMANews.TV