i TV Pinoy

Source: Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — For a team that is already missing players like Jimmy Alapag, Rich Alvarez, Aaron Aban and Ali Peek, defending champion Talk ’N Text will play sans another key contributor in Ryan Reyes when it resumes its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters meet newcomer Shopinas.com Clickers at 5:15 p.m. without the five players, with the 6-foot-1 Reyes the latest to join the injury list with a strained left Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) he sustained in their previous game against Powerade.

The Texters won that game against the Tigers, 95-86, a week ago despite dealing with the shocking shooting incident on the burly 6-foot-4 veteran center Peek, who was shot in the nape last Oct. 7 by a still unidentified gunman in Mandaluyong City.

Peek, 36, is now in stable condition at the Medical City Hospital, although a surgery to remove the lodged bullet in his nape is not being considered by his doctors at the moment, according to TNT coach Chot Reyes.

Alapag, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) is still recovering from a sprained right ankle. Aban tore his left Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) last week, while Alvarez is not yet available with a hand injury.

“We’re making do with what we have,” said Reyes, who is left with 10 players. “We’re trying to strike a balance by staying sharp without over extending the players in practice as we’re left with only seven of our regular players on the rotations.”

Of the seven players in his regular rotation, Reyes said that Ranidel de Ocampo and Harvey Carey are not in full strength after injuries, reason why Japeth Aguilar, Kelly Williams, Jason Castro, Jared Dillinger and Larry Fonacier must step up.

Against the Tigers, Aguilar led the Texters with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Dillinger added 18 markers, and Williams had 12 points and 10 boards that improved their record to 6-1.

After Rain or Shine’s 80-90 loss to Petron Blaze last Sunday, Talk ’N Text regained the No. 1 spot in the team standings.