MANILA, Philippines — Already teeming with offensive tactics in their arsenal, newly-crowned PBA Philippine Cup champion Talk ’N Text is tapping the services of an import known for his defensive prowess when it bids for a back-to-back championship in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Tropang Texters will be parading Syracuse stalwart Paul Harris in the import-laden meet that begins Feb. 18 in Laoag City.
The 6-foot-3 Harris, a second All-USA team member in 2006 during his high school years at Niagara Falls and later, at Notre Dame Prep in Massachussetts, arrived in the country as early as the all-Filipino Finals, giving him exactly an impression of the kind of game the telecommunication franchise needs from him.
And coach Chot Reyes said Harris could just be what the doctors ordered for a team which boasts of an offensive caliber line-up behind Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Larry Fonacier, Jared Dilinger,
Harvey Carey, Ali Peek, among others.
“He may be the best defensive import we might see to have played here,” said Reyes of the 24-year-old Harris, whom he describes as an 'excellent defender, has the ability to get rebounds and ability to play the power forward spot.'
Ironically, the Tropang Texters have yet to win a tournament championship with imports.
Like Talk ’N Text, crowd favorite Ginebra San Miguel also addressed its need by signing 6-foot-3 bruiser Nathan Brumfield, who, according to coach Jong Uichico, is a certified ‘inside player.’
Meanwhile, Meralco has added veteran forward Reynel Hugnatan in its roster following a 3-player trade that shipped rookie Hans Thiele and veteran center Paolo Bugia to Alaska, an arrangement approved by the PBA Commissioner’s Office.
