Coach Chot Reyes and Finals co-Most Valuable Players Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro stressed yesterday the hunger factor hasn’t waned, adding they are looking forward to another title shot in the Commissioner’s Cup that starts on Feb. 18.

"Ako kasi I’m a matakaw na person. Once you get a taste of victory you become addictive to it. You never get satisfied," Reyes said in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave., three days after the Tropang Texters clinched the Philippine Cup with a 95-82 win over San Miguel Beer in Game 6 of the title series.

"Inside the dugout after winning the Philippine Cup, I just told the players one word–better. And I mean telling the players how to get better and not just get content by simply playing in the second conference."

Alapag, for his part, said: "Without a doubt, there’s still a lot of hunger. You don’t want to relax; you don’t want to be contented. Yes, you cherish the (championship) feeling, but once it’s over, you get back and compete again."

Castro joined the chorus, saying: "Oo naman, gutom pa rin kami. `Yun naman ang mentality ng team ever since."

Gunning for another title won’t be easy, Reyes admitted.

The Tropang Texters only have two weeks to savor their victory and get acquainted with their import, Paul Harris, the former Syracuse stalwart who was named a second All-USA team member in 2006 during his high school years.

"It’s basically just a one week break for us, because we start practicing on Valentine’s Day. That’s a very short vacation," Reyes said in the public service program backed by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, and Shakey’s.

"But it is what it is. We’re prepared for it. We’re re-charging right now and hope to make it deep into the tournament," added Reyes, who tied Tommy Manotoc for fourth place in the all-time winning list with six championships in all.

For all the titles it has won–three overall–the team owned by business mogul Manny V. Pangilinan has yet to win an import-laden tournament, something tugging at Alapag. He and Harvey Carey are the only members left of the Talk N Text squad that won the franchise’s breakthrough title in 2003.

Reyes admitted he’s not much into it, although the former national coach said a back-to-back championship is one thing still missing in his decorated coaching career.