PBA: Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 2013 draft preview

2012-13 season recap:

• Philippine Cup: 12-2 (1st), won the Championship versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
• Commissioner’s Cup: 7-7 (6th), lost in the semifinals to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
• Governors’ Cup: 3-6 (9th), missed the quarterfinals

What happened last season?

Talk 'N Text started the season with their championship nucleus intact, and had high hopes of continuing their reign as the dominant championship team in the PBA.

They began in great fashion under new head coach Norman Black, as they dominated the Philippine Cup en route to a sweep of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Finals. Along the way, Jayson Castro was deemed Best Player of the Conference, a reward many years in the making.

Hopes were high that the Tropang Texters could continue their winning ways come the Commissioner's Cup, however, an assortment of injuries limited the Tropang Texters from advancing to the Finals again, as they were eliminated by Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals. The wheels were slowly falling off for the Texters, as Kelly Williams had to leave the team for health issues, and Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag were at less than 100 percent.

Before the start of the Governors Cup, all of the Texters' championship aspirations were put aside in the pursuit of national glory, as TnT formed the core of Gilas Pilipinas. Backed by Jimmy Alapag, Castro, Larry Fonacier and Ranidel De Ocampo, Gilas went on to win the silver medal in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. But in exchange for their service, the Texters could hardly put up a fight in the third conference, as they failed to even make the postseason.


What do they need?

As long as Castro can dribble a basketball, Alapag shoot daggers from outside and De Ocampo sharpen his elbows, Talk N’ Text will always be dangerous. But now is the time to seriously look at upgrading their bench. Acquiring Sean Anthony in exchange for Jared Dillinger was a great start, but Talk 'N Text needs more youth and athleticism, especially with uncertainty around the return of Kelly Williams. They won’t need a rookie to contribute right away — that’s never been the style of Coach Black. Rather, they need a dose of fresh blood to help transition into the next phase for the Tropang Texters.



Who do they pick?

Talk N’ Text should draft the best available talent here. A combo guard off the bench who can back-up Alapag and Castro might be available here, in the form of either Anjo Caram or Justin Melton. Either of these two could develop into PBA starters under the tutelage of the Tropa's legendary guards.

[Try out our 2013 PBA mock draft machine here]

Possible trades:

Talk 'N Text has no first round picks and will only be able to select starting at No. 17. This is not good. Therefore, don’t be surprised to see them active on Draft Day. Possible trade pieces include Sean Anthony or Ryan Reyes, and those two players could help put potential championship contenders over the top. Possible trade partners might be Rain or Shine with the ninth pick, or even the Alaska Aces, who have talked loudly about wanting to trade their eighth pick.  Whatever happens, Talk N’ Text is looking to get busy as they prepare for the future.  - AMD, GMA News