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TNT FINDS TOWER OF POWER IN OMAR SAMHAN

The powerhouse Talk N Text Tropang Texters title defense of their Commissioner’s Cup title will be anchored on a former US collegiate star. TNT head coach Chot Reyes has signed up former St. Mary’s College standout Omar Samhan as their import in the PBA’s mid-season conference. Samhan played four years for the Gaels varsity with career norms of 13.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg in 133 total games. The highlight of his college career was his 61-point performance in back-to-back wins by the Gaels during the 2010 US NCAA tournament. The 6-11 California native pumped in 32 big points in a victory over Villanova during the tourney proper. Samhan, who weighs a hefty 268 lbs., played pro ball with Zalgiris Kaunas in the Lithuanian league during the 2010-11 season. Scouting reports say that Samhan is a very good post player, who uses his size very well to his advantage inside the paint, according to the NBA Draft webite.

“A late bloomer who has shown steady development throughout his college career ... Statistically one of the best big men in the country (over 20p, 10r, 3 blk) … At 6’11, he knows how to use his size and weight to his advantage in the post ... Has good interior footwork to create space to get his shot off ... He knows how to take advantage of mismatches on switches in the post and passes well out of double teams ... Shows patience and poise on offense, willing to pass the ball out and work in reposting to have a better angle for his shot and is constantly working on getting quality post position ... For a low post player he demonstrates good shooting mechanics. Shoots in the mid 70% from the free throw line, and shows range out to 15 feet ... He has improved in the pick and roll this season and his familiarity with it should help him at the pro level ... Was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the WCC while averaging over 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Omar plays hard on defense and uses his size and body to box out, explaining his double digit boards. Demonstrates very strong intangibles (has lost over 60 pounds since his freshman year, strong work ethic, strong leadership qualities, and very good with the media and fans) ...”

WILL JAKE VOSKUHL SHINE WITH ROS ELASTO PAINTERS?

NBA journeyman Jake Voskuhl has taken his playing bags for the first time outside the United States. The 6-11 slotman out of the University of Connecticut, who was the second round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2000 NBA draft, is suiting up for the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Voskuhl played nine years in the NBA, seeing action for the Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. Voskuhl posted career averages of 4.0 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 450 total games from 2000 to 2009. Before embarking on a pro career, the 34 year-old Tulsa (OK) native played four seasons of college hoops with the University of Connecticut where he had norms of 6.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg in 138 total appearances. He had an estimated NBA total income of at least $12.3 million over the span of his career. Voskuhl is described as a hardworking survivor in the NBA, usually filling-up for injured big men, according to an article in HoopsWorld.

“Jake Voshkul is the kind of guy that most people forget is even still in the league. For the duration of his career he’s been the sort of guy who puts in very spotty minutes and just tries to fill in gaps for injured players ahead of him in the rotation.  Still, even an NBA role guy doesn’t stay in the league this long without some skill and hard work.”

MERALCO BRINGS IN JELANI MCCOY

Another NBA veteran is bringing his act to the Philippine shores. Eight-year veteran center Jelani McCoy is ready to help the Meralco Bolts’ bid to figure prominently in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The 34-year old McCoy was a second round draftee of the then Seattle Supersonics (now OKC Thunder) in the 1998 draft. The former UCLA standout played for the Sonics, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Denver Nuggets, with career norms of 4.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 260 total outings.  McCoy also had stints with the Bakersfield Jam and Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA D-League, Viola Reggio Calabria in the Italian League, Ukrainian club Azovmash Mariupol, Menorca Bàsquet of the Spanish League and Chinese team Fujian Xunxing. McCoy is said to be a good shot-blocker and a decent defensive player but his weakness is his inability to consistently hit free throws, according to his profile page in Stop Mike Lupica.

“Jelani McCoy went to school at UCLA.  He played there for only two seasons (and a portion of the third), but he still managed to leave as UCLA's career leader in block shots (188) and field goal percentage (.694). The Sonics drafted him in the 2nd round in 1998, 33rd overall. His rookie year he hit 56 of 76 FGAs (73.7%).  That's pretty impressive.  Also impressive: His FG% of .538 is higher than his FT% of. 490.  In other words, it's better to foul him than to let him shoot. "If there is a worse free throw shooter than Shaq, it's definitely Jelani." - internet scout on McCoy at UCLA.”

BARAKO BULL LANDS BIGGEST IMPORT CATCH IN NBA VET DERMARR JOHNSON

It has been seven years since the last NBA first round draftee had struted his wares in the local pro league. Dickey Simpkins suited up for the Alaska Aces during the 2005 PBA Fiesta conference. The coming Commissioner’s Cup will have DerMarr Johnson, who was the 6th picked over-all in the 2000 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, playing for the Barako Bull squad. The 6-9 Johnson is a seven-year NBA veteran who suited up for the Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs from 2000 to 2008. He had career averages of 6.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg in 344 total games. Before joining the NBA, the District of Columbia native played a year of college ball for the University of Cincinnati, where he posted norms of 12.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 32 outings. Johnson almost played for coach Tim Cone and the Aces in 2004 after his Knicks stint but was later signed by the Nuggets. After his NBA career, the wiry 31 year-old forward began toiling in various pro leagues worldwide. Johnson had quite a journey in his life and basketball played a vital role in his transformation, according to an article written by Mark Grey of the Player’s Voice. Grey even mentioned how he outplayed and defended Kobe Bryant very well during one of his NBA games.

“Since being drafted, Johnson has seen his share of highs and lows, but good luck getting him to talk about either.  Not known as a person who talks much, getting Johnson to talk about himself is like pulling teeth. However, sitting in his basement, the tales of his journey are all over.  He will never tell you that he has made over 10 million dollars in his career, but the six figure watch on his wrist as well as the  Mercedes and Porsche in the driveway let you know he has done all right for himself.  If you ask him about the picture that hangs on his wall of him guarding Kobe Bryant, he simply replies, “Kobe is the best player on the planet.”  What he won’t tell you is that in that game, he used his 7 foot wingspan to harass Bryant all night, forcing him to turn the ball over 6 times, or that he outscored him in the game.  He never brings up the fact that he broke his neck but you can still see the two scars over his eyebrows where they drilled the holes in his head.  DerMarr rarely ever talks about his father who passed away after years of drug abuse, but the tattoo of his father’s face on his arm lets you know that he meant a lot to him.  Johnson would never call himself a scholar, but challenge him to a game of Scrabble (which is already out and ready to go at all times) and you will think otherwise.  About the only thing you will ever hear Johnson boast about is his Domino championship belt he plays his friends for.”

BO PERASOL AND HIS CHAMPIONSHIP KARMA

The door is slowly closing in for the Powerade Tigers of coach Bo Perasol as they trail the Talk N Text Tropang Texters three games to nil in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup finals. This is the second finals stint for Perasol in his pro coaching career. It can be recalled that Perasol piloted the Air21 Express to the championship series against the Ginebra Gin Kings during the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference. With the Express leading the series, three games to two, Perasol uttered one of the most unpopular quotes in league history before a live TV audience. He said that the Cuneta Astrodome (the venue for game six) is too small for the anticipated Air21 championship celebration. And alas, the Gin Kings went on to win the series in seven games. The bad karma seems to haunt Perasol anew.

“Maliit ang Cuneta Astrodome para sa championship celebration namin. (the Cuneta Astrodome is too small a venue for our championship celebration).”

PETRON BLAZE PINS HOPE ON EX-MAVERICK NICK FAZEKAS

Don’t look now but a former NBA big man is suiting up for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Nick Fazekas, a 6-11 former star of the University of Nevada, is already in town and ready to help the Boosters cause for the next conference. Fazekas wound up his collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in the Wolfpacks history with 2,464 points. He also led the team to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Colorado native was picked 34th over-all in the 2007 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He saw action in only four games during the 2007-08 campaign for Dallas with norms of 1.8 ppg and 0.8 rpg before being waived. He was later picked up by the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played for 22 games. Fazekas posted averages of 4.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for the Clippers. He also played for the summer league teams of the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets. Fazekas brought his talent to Europe in 2008 and has seen action for Belgian club Base Oostende and French teams  ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and JDA Dijon. One bright note in Fazekas playing career was when he was chosen number one pick over-all in the 2010 NBA D-League draft by the Reno Bighorns. Fazekas is said to be more of a perimeter player with a good shooting touch, according to scouting reports of the Draft Express.

“Fazekas was viewed as something of a perimeter player coming out. Fazekas always does a good job working off the ball when his teammates draw his defender. He lacks the quickness to get many touches off of cuts, but is smart enough to know make himself a big target when he’s open at the rim. His touch makes him a very capable finisher, and he shows a good running hook going right despite not being able to get a step on his defender.”

IT’S MATT HARYASZ FOR THE ALASKA ACES

A mobile big man will reinforce the Alaska Aces in its bid for redemption in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Aces head coach Joel Banal has tapped the services of 6-11 Matt Haryasz to help turn around the fortunes of the Uytengsu franchise after a disappointing ninth place finished in the Philippine Cup. Haryasz played four years for the Stanford University Cardinals in the US NCAA. What is remarkable in Haryasz stint with the Cardinals is the elevation of his scoring year after year (from 1.8 ppg to 6.9 ppg to 12.5 ppg and finally to 16.2 ppg in 122 total games). The 27 year old Phoenix (AZ) native later played for the Arkansas RimRockers for two seasons in the NBA D-League. During the 2007-08 campaign, Haryasz saw action for seven games with Napoli in the Italian league, posting norms of 2.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg. Last season, he suited up for the Dutch club Groningen with averages of 11.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg in five outings. Banal is optimistic that Haryasz will be the man the Aces will anchor its post game and so far, is impressed with what he had seen during the training camp, according to the Aces official website.

“He`s very efficient. He`s also a proven winner, since high school and during his stay at Stanford University where he finished Sociology. I also talked at length with Tommy Sheppard, Vice President of Basketball Administration of the Washington Wizards, who had some really nice words about Matt. He talks and communicates a lot during practices. You see that he has real basketball intelligence. He is also very hard-working and applied himself to the game. I hope this attitude rubs off on his teammates.”

TIME IS PUMAREN’S NEMESIS AT SHOPINAS.COM

Definitely, time will not be on the side of coach Franz Pumaren as he tries to form a competitive team for the PBA’s newest ballclub, the Shopinas.com Clickers. With only a month to go before the opening of the local pro league's 37th season, it looks like the return of the former De LaSalle Green Archers champion mentor to the pro league will be a bumpy one. Pumaren, who played for the Ron Jacobs-mentored National squad in the 80’s, will try to build the team around his former La Salle star guard Renren Ritualo. He also plucked three rookies from the PBA draft last Sunday in Smart Gilas spark plug Mark Barroca (first round), former UP Maroons slotman Magi Sison (second round) and ex-JRU Heavy Bomber Mark Cagoco. Pumaren says he will try to get most of his players from the free-agent pool as he began conducting tryouts for the Clickers. Herewith is a complete list of players who reportedly showed up in the first day of Shopinas training camp:

“Mark Andaya, Mark Canlas, Marvin Cruz, Mark Cagoco, Dennis Daa, Chad Alonzo, Ogie Menor, Bambam Gamalinda, Khasim Mirza, Paolo Hubalde, Jojo Duncil, RJ Jazul, Gio Ciria Cruz, Angel Raymundo, Magi Sison, Pong Escobal, JR Aquino, and Hiram Bagatsing.”

THE GENIUS IN CHOT REYES

When his back is against the wall and when push becomes a shove, Chot Reyes is one guy who truly knows what to do. Reyes pulled two rabbits off his hat in the persons of reserve import Maurice Baker and injured star Jason Castro. The two combined for 37 points, 17 rebounds and 9 assists to power the grand-slam seeking Talk N Text Tropang Texters to a whopping 104-78 rout of the Petron Blaze Boosters, and set-up a deciding seventh game for the season-ending PBA Governors Cup title. Reyes gambled on Baker, who has not played in the last 10 games, to replace the small, ineffective and defensive liability Scottie Reynolds. But the biggest contribution that Baker did in the crucial game six win was the leech-like defense on the Blazers prolific import Anthony Grundy. Baker did to Grundy what the latter did to Reynolds during games four and five. Baker limited Grundy to a measly five points which contributed greatly to Petron’s downfall. Reyes cited the great over-all game brilliance of Baker as the key to the Tropang Texters victory.

"All we did was tie the series. We came in tonight wanting to play 96 good minutes. We achieved the first half of it and now we’ve got to find a way to get the second half. All we wanted from Baker was to defend Grundy. That he was able to contribute on offense was a bonus.”

TNT-PETRON FINALS GAME 3: ALL-OUT WAR

Things are now back to square one and the best-of-seven finals series has virtually turned into a best-of-five affair in the PBA Governors Cup finals between grand-slam seeking Talk N Text Tropang Texters and Petron Blaze Boosters. If the first two games are the indications of what will happen in the pivotal game three, then expect more blood oozing from bruising fouls and bodies flying as both teams has declared an all-out war for the season-ending diadem. The Boosters drew first blood via a heart-stopping win in the opener, 89-88 but the Tropang Texters evened things up with a resounding rout in a very physical game two victory, 105-83. TNT head coach Chot Reyes thinks his charges are all-pumped up for game three after totally outplaying the Boosters in the final half of game two, “One thing that we wanted to do in Game Two was to come out with a lot of physicality because they’re really beating us in giving rough and hard fouls. At the half, I asked my players if they were intimidated because we’re not going to win this series playing like sissies. We manned up, we became stronger; and we took it right through them because this is war. The only way we’re going to win is if we play as physical. If they throw cheap shots, we’ll give it right back at them. We should hit them harder.” On the other hand, Boosters head coach Ato Agustin reiterates his stand for his boys not to back down and give back what they receive from TNT on the court, “Patibayan na ng dibdib ang series na ito (The series is now about who’s got the bigger heart). We’re playing physical because it’s their game. Of course, we’ll not allow ourselves to be pushed around. It won’t change. We just have to be ready for their transition offense. The guys lost their focus in the second. It seemed that they’re affected by the Ranidel de Ocampo incident. Subconsciously, they might be thinking Talk n Text would get back.” Expect all roads lead to the Big Dome tonight.

DÉJÀ VU FOR DANNY ILDEFONSO

Fourteen-year veteran and two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso turned back the hands of time as he powered the Petron Blaze Boosters to a shocking 89-88 victory over the heavily favored and grand-slam seeking Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the opener of the best-of-seven PBA Governors Cup championship series. The 34-year-old former National University Bulldogs stalwart scattered the final four points for the Blazers including the winning jumpshot at the buzzer. It was an exciting, wild and woolly windup which left the crowd at the big dome in a euphoric state after the final buzzer. Ildefonso, who finished with 13 points, says it feels great with his first ever buzzer-beater in his checkered pro career and gracefully thanked the Lord for the nail-biting win.

“It was the first time in my career that I made a buzzer-beating winning shot. I was so happy it happened in this game – the start of a finals where we’re the decided underdogs. God is so good. We’re not here if not for Him. Siya na ang nag-shoot noon (God made that shot).”

IT’S ALL ABOUT NUMBERS IN PBA FRIDAY THRILLER

For the first time in PBA history, there will be no knockout playoff game but instead numbers will decide the second finalist in the Governors Cup via the quotient system. With the grand slam seeking Talk N Text Tropang Texters having clinched the first championship slot, the last semis double-header today will reveal who among the idle Alaska Aces, Petron Blaze Boosters and Barangay Ginebra Kings will make it to the finals of the season-ending conference. The Blazers will play the Texters while the Kings will tangle with the already out of contention Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the last playing day prior to the finals. Here are the possible scenarios: both Petron and Ginebra loses, Alaska is in the finals; a Petron win and Ginebra loss, it would still be the Aces; both Petron and Ginebra wins, the Blazers would be in; and a Petron loss and a Ginebra win, the Kings are in the finals.


 “We just have to go out and be aggressive both on offense and defense. Talk 'N Text is so quick in transition, so we have to speed back on defense, play them in a half court game. We'll do our part na manalo muna, bago kami magdasal na sana manalo din ang Ginebra”, Blazers head coach Ato Agustin said.

On the other hand, Alaska head coach Tim Cone is totally exasperated with the quotient system adopted by the league for this conference, “I`m not a believer in a championship berth being decided by quotient. I’m not happy about this. This is the first time that this has happened in the PBA in all my years of coaching in the league. No matter who advances, losing a championship berth by quotient would be a terrible disappointment. But that`s the hand we`ve been dealt and we have to live with that.”

PBA FRIDAY NOTES

Talk N Text head coach Chot Reyes was a picture of frustration during and after the Tropang Texter’s worst defeat of the season at the hands of the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, 96-81 last Wednesday. “We had our worst shooting leading to lowest point total (against Rain or Shine). But what disappoints me more is how badly we got outworked. Hopefully, we can put these things behind us and just focus on the next game”, Reyes said. And that next game will be tonight against the dangerous B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados. Despite the unexpected loss to RoS, the Tropang Texters still leads the six-team semis of the PBA Governor’s Cup with a 7-3 win-loss slate.

*****

Adding woes to the Tropang Texters playoffs campaign is the untimely injury to prolific forward Ranidel De Ocampo. It was reported that De Ocampo suffered from a fractured nose during a pre-game scrimmage one week ago. Coach Reyes has to dig deeper in his rotation and hope someone will step up his game in the absence of De Ocampo, who is currently averaging 13.3 points and 5.62 rebounds an outing in eight games so far this conference.

*****  

Alaska Aces head coach Tim Cone was criticized for not bringing back LD Williams for the season-ending conference in the Governor’s Cup and instead went for former Air21 Express import Jason Forte as his team’s import reinforcement. Now, Cone is beginning to justify his choice as Forte is slowly but surely has become one of the most consistent imports in the conference. Forte went berserk in pouring in 36 big points in the Aces 88-81 win over the Petron Blaze Boosters last Sunday. The former Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles standout is currently posting norms of 22.0 points and an impressive 15.6 caroms an outing in 10 games so far with the Aces.

*****   

Boosters import Anthony Grundy finally nailed down his first win in Philippine shores and what a way to do it after three starts. Grundy erupted for 21 points to lead the Boosters to a 96-88 overtime win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings. His over-all display of court wizardry was instrumental in overcoming a 28-point deficit in the second canto.  Given the chance by Solar Sports courtside reporter Patricia Hizon to give a shout-out during the post-game interview, the all-smile Grundy barked, “I love you PHILIPPINES!”.

*****

The old spark is back in Barangay Ginebra Kings star Mark Caguioa. Not a few said it is because of his new tomahawk hairstyle. Ever since he wore the said hairdo at the beginning of the Governor’s Cup, Caguioa has found his old rhythm back and has led the Ginebra locals in scoring with a 20.2 points average in ten games.

$400K EACH FOR KB24, CP3 AND D-ROSE FOR MANILA EXHIBITION GAMES?

TV5/AKTV Photo

Everything was magical during the two-day NBA Manila Smart Ultimate All-Star Games last weekend. The Filipino hoop fans were treated to non-stop action by the visiting American superstars, which defeated the PBA Selection, 131-105 and walloped the Smart Gilas national team, 98-89, before jampacked crowds at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Sports Foundation made it all happened and fans around the country will forever be grateful for this once in a lifetime event. The MVP Sports Foundation even went out of the way to have the two games covered live on local TV. There was no holding back the nine-man NBA All-Stars from performing top-class acts highlighted by countless alley-oops, incredible passes and out-of-this world slams that was never before witnessed live by local fans in the country. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets were said to be paid at least $400,000 each for the two-game extravaganza, according to Sports Illustrated. But surely, any Filipino fan would say its worth the price.

“Star-studded exhibition games like the two taking place in the Philippines this weekend are proving to be quite profitable as well, with one source with knowledge of the deals saying the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Chicago's Derrick Rose are being paid more than $400,000 apiece for their weekend of work (reminder: tax-free). Worthwhile ventures like these are a less-explosive strategy on the labor front, though there is -- as reported by Yahoo! Sports on Saturday -- an impatient contingent of agents who is pushing for a more aggressive approach that involves the decertification of the union and subsequent antitrust lawsuits.”

IT’S ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE ULTIMATE NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND MANILA

As the Filipino hoop fans starts to get crazy, the NBA players, who the whole country will be watching in the coming Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday and Sunday, have expressed their excitement for this once in a lifetime event. The nine-man Smart-NBA selection of Kobe Bryant (playing coach), Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Derek Fisher, Tyreke Evans, James Harden, JaVale McGee and Derrick Williams will play the All-Filipino PBA selection and the Smart Gilas national team, respectively, before an expected Big Dome sell-out crowd. Herewith are the messages posted by some of the visiting NBA stars, who are probably on their way now to Manila, in their respective twitter accounts.   

Kevin Durant: “Headed to the Philippines tomorrow night...I can't wait! Are yall ready??”

Chris Paul: “WHEELS DOWN in NY...in 2hrs WHEELS UP to Manila!!! Big S/O to the PHILLIPINES...On my wayyyy!!!”

JaVale McGee: “Pierre is gonna find some cool placed to plank in Manila !!!!”

Tyreke Evans: “Tomorrow I head to the Philippines to play in Manilla. Can't wait.”

James Harden: “I'm going to be in the Philippines next week!!!!!!!!!”

Derrick Williams: “Philippines goin to be crazy next week!”

WILL ALLEN DO IT ALL FOR B-MEG DERBY ACE LLAMADOS?

After four games, Darnell Hinson replaced original pick Stefhon Hannah and again after only four outings, Hinson will be replaced by Myron Allen as import reinforcement of the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup. Hinson, who posted norms of 20.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in his four appearances with the Llamados, had to leave the country immediately for emergency reasons but not after helping secure a playoff spot for B-MEG. Allen, 32, is a player rich in international hoops experience. The 5-11 former Charles H. Milby HS star played only eight games for the University of North Dakota before being suspended by school authorities due to eligibility problems. It was not mentioned what triggered the eligibility issue on Allen but it could be his 10-day stint at the training camp of IBA semi-pro team Fargo-Moorhead Beez in which he played a single exhibition game in 1999. Allen has brought his acts to other semi-pro leagues like the USBL, WBA, ABA and the NBA D-League. He also had seen action in Bosnia, Mexico, Israel and China as an import. This past season, Allen suited up for Lobos Grises de la UAD Durango in the Mexican league. He averaged 9.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 3.5 apg in two games. He later had a stint with Shandong in the Chinese league, seeing action for 32 games with norms of 15.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 4.9 apg. Despite his short ceiling, Allen is described as a high-leaping athletic guard who can fly and slammed it in, according to 610 Sports Management.

“The kind of crowd-pleasing, athletic point guard, who passes well, runs the court and dunks in traffic.”

TNT TROPANG TEXTERS TO BRING IN SCOTTIE REYNOLDS?

Even though the team had finished at the top of the heap with a 6-2 win-loss slate in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup eliminations, the grand-slam seeking Talk N Text Tropang Texters are leaving no stone unturned. Reports have it that the Tropang Texters are bringing in former Villanova Wildcats star guard Scottie Reynolds to replace NBA veteran Maurice Baker as its import reinforcement beginning the playoffs. TNT head coach Chot Reyes seems not content with Baker’s inconsistent game. Baker submitted norms of 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in eight outings for TNT during the elims. Tapping Reynolds might truly help Reyes and his charges in attaining their goal of a triple crown this season. The 6-2, Huntsville (AL) native starred for Herdon HS Hornets during his prep days before embarking on a four-year stint with the Wildcats. He averaged 16.02 points in 139 total games for Villanova. Reynolds became the second highest scorer in Wildcats history with 2,222 career points. He was not picked during the 2010 NBA draft and then played four outings with Prima Veroli in the Italian pro league. He posted norms of 12.3 ppg and 2.5 apg in his short Italian stint. Reynolds later resurfaced with the Springfield Armor in the NBA D-League, where he averaged 13.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 5.9 apg in 46 appearances. Reynolds is said to be a master of the “pick-and-rolls”, plays good team basketball, and is a decent shooter offensively, according to Draft Express.

“Looking at his game, Reynolds is doing a lot of his damage operating out of pick-and-rolls, something his team's offense relies heavily on. He does a good job recognizing multiple options and keeping his head up, getting most of his assists in this manner either hitting the screen man or an open shooter in the corner.

“As for his own offense, Reynolds is shooting well from the perimeter when he gets open looks, being equally dangerous spotting up or pulling up.”

DURANTULA IS COMING TO MANILA

When it rains, it truly pours! Filipino cage fans will be doubly happy to know that one of the NBA’s young rising stars, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will replace DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers in the eight-man cast of NBA All-Stars that will play the PBA selection and Smart Gilas national team in the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend this coming Saturday and Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Durant, who was the second pick over-all in the 2007 NBA rookie draft by the Seattle Supersonics (now OKC Thunder), was a strong MVP candidate last season. He has career averages of 25.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 314 games so far with the Sonics/Thunder franchise. The man called “Durantula” also led Team USA in reclaiming the FIBA World Basketball title last year in Turkey, ending a 16-year title drought. Talk N Text Tropang Texters head coach Chot Reyes, who will handle the PBA selection, confirmed Durant’s entry to the NBA All-Star team in a message posted in his tweeter account.

“Bad news! Kevin Durant IS replacing Deandre Jordan in d Smart Ultimate Weekend. Bad news for us & Gilas. Great for Pinoy Bball fans.”

END OF THE SEASON FOR WILLIE MILLER

Willie Miller will not see action anymore in the season-ending PBA Governor’s Cup following his trade to the already eliminated Air21 Express for KG Canaleta and a 2012 draft pick. The two-time MVP Miller, who has seen action in only four games for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in this conference due to an injury, will be playing for his fifth PBA club after Red Bull, Talk N Text, Alaska, and Ginebra. He posted career-low norms of 2.50 points, 2.00 rebounds, and 0.50 assists per game for the Gin Kings. Canaleta on the other hand, averaged 9.62 ppg, 3.12 rpg, and 0.25 apg in eight outings with the Express. He will be seeing action for the Kings beginning the playoffs. PBA anchorwoman Patricia Hizon posted the news of the trade on her twitter account this morning.

“About to post on Yahoo the trade that I tweeted about this morning. Willie Miller headed to Air21 for KG Canaleta and a future 2012 pick.”