Coach Chot, 2 Texters to join Gilas in Asian Games

The early part of Talk `N Text’s campaign in the coming PBA Philippine Cup is not expected to be that smooth. At least four key personnel of the team, including coach Chot Reyes, may not be around in the first two to three weeks of the season-opening conference, owing to injury and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Reyes has been tapped as special assistant to RP-Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman when the national cage team competes for the gold in the Asiad set Nov. 12 to 27. Two key members of the Tropang Texters -- Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes -- are also likely to go with the Gilas squad as the duo are among the number of players the national team is trying to loan from the PBA.

Although the PBA Board has yet to approve the request of the Gilas team, chances of both Williams and Reyes suiting up for flag and country are very positive since Talk `N Text team owner Manny V. Pangilinan is also the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country’s governing body for basketball. Pangilinan likewise happens to be a majority share holder of Meralco, the newest franchise in the pro league and also the team owner of Talk N Text. Meanwhile, recent surgery performed on big man Ranidel de Ocampo will definitely sidelined him for an indefinite period of time. The 6-foot-7 forward, adjudged the Best Player of the Elimination Round of the 2009-2010 Fiesta Conference, recently went under the knife to remove bone spurs on his feet. The absence of their key players -- as well as their coach -- forced the Tropang Texters to acquire veteran free agent forward and former PBA Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez, who was picked up from the free agent market. With a manpower shortage, Reyes admitted things are not expected to be rosy for the Tropang Texters in the early part of the All-Filipino meet. “It will be a difficult conference for us," Reyes said. “We will be out for almost three weeks, so the other guys really have to raise their level of play." In Reyes’ absence, long-time assistant Nash Racela and team consultant Norman Black will temporarily call the shots for Talk `N Text. - RCJ, GMANews.TV