Talk ‘N Text reloads with addition of Ganuelas, Alas

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters pulled off two pre-season moves that should ensure they will remain competitive for the foreseeable future in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

In two separate deals, the Texters were able to nab two of the top 5 picks in the 2014 PBA rookie draft.

The first trade, approved by the PBA Commissioner’s office Monday, September 22, saw them get the services of athletic wingman Matt Ganuelas. The series of deals was bannered by the return of Jay Washington to Talk ‘N Text after regaining his deadly form following his stint with the GlobalPort Batang Pier where he normed 15.57 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

The Texters traded way 2010 first overall pick Nonoy Baclao, rookie Harold Arboleda, and their second round pick in the 2018 Rookie Draft for Washington.

GlobalPort then sent Arboleda, the 2018 second round pick, and a 2016 second round pick it earlier acquired from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the NLEX Road Warriors for Ganuelas.

Lastly, the Batang Pier exchanged Ganuelas for the Texters’ 2017 first round pick.

In another trade reported by Spin.ph, Talk ‘N Text acquired the services of 2014 second overall pick Kevin Alas in a three-team deal involving the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and NLEX.

Rain or Shine, the team that drafted Alas, sent the sharp-shooting combo guard to the Texters in exchange for five-time slam dunk king Niño ‘KG’ Canaleta. The Elasto Painters then sent Canaleta to NLEX for the Road Warriors’ 2015 first round pick.

Painters coach Yeng Guiao told Spin.ph that they traded away Alas to give him the opportunity to showcase his wares in the pro league – something he might not be able to do playing behind the team’s plethora of guards that include newly resigned Paul Lee, former Xavier teammates Chris Tiu and TY Tang, and UST Growling Tigers standout Jeric Teng.

Texters reloaded

Getting Washington back gives Talk ‘N Text more versatility in their frontcourt. The 2005 first overall pick gives another stretch big man that can either give 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup best player Ranidel De Ocampo extended rest on the bench, or the team may opt to pair the two for an all three-point shooting five on the floor.

The acquisition of Ganuelas and Alas is the Texters’ way of addressing its aging and ailing backcourt. Despite being loaded with top-caliber perimeter operators, both players should get enough playing time to show what they can do on the hardcourt as most of the team’s mainstays will likely need rest following stints with the National team Gilas Pilipinas.

Team Captain Jimmy Alapag, who is coming off an inspiring stint with Gilas, at 36-years-old, is nearing the twilight of his career. Fellow Gilas guard Jayson Castro is recovering from an ankle injury while shooting guard Larry Fonacier begged off entirely from being part of the team due to medical reasons.

The Texters will have the luxury of resting or limiting the minutes of their main guns in favor of Ganuelas and Alas – both of whom have also dawned the National colors in the past two years in minor tournaments.

Ganuelas, listed at 6-foot-5, arrived in the Philippines as a natural point guard. He has since shifted to the small forward spot but hasn’t lost the ball handling and passing abilities he displayed upon arriving in the country.

He gives back Talk ‘N Text the kind of versatility they lost when Jared Dillinger was traded away.

But Ganuelas appears more like the second coming of Gabe Norwood. Both players share court general playmaking skills along with freakish athleticism. Like Norwood, Ganuelas has taken advantage of his length and athletic gifts on defense. In the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, Ganuelas averaged two blocks per game according to pba-online.net.

Again, like Norwood, Ganuelas needs to work on his shot. In the same conference where he averaged two rejections, the Fil-Am cager averaged just 37% on his two-point field goals.

Meanwhile, the Texters get a natural scorer who added playmaking skills to his arsenal in Kevin Alas.

Alas has the potential to become Talk ‘N Text’s next marquee perimeter player with his combination of size (listed at 6-foot-2) and skill. Alas is also used to a winning culture, having led the Letran Knights to multiple finals appearances in the NCAA and being a key player for the NLEX Road Warriors in their multi-title run in the PBA D-League.

Another positive for both players is the fact that Talk ‘N Text is not a team bound by traditional positions. The system the team has run in recent years takes full advantage of the strengths of its players putting them in spots on the floor where they can be most effective.

However, it remains to be seen if newly-installed head coach Jong Uichico will keep this style of play. Uichico should have a field day mixing and matching lineups of his versatile squad.

In any case, the team has done a splendid job of making sure they field a team that can win now, while keeping an eye on the future by acquiring two talents with massive upside.

If and when Alapag decides to hang his sneakers for good, Ganuelas and Alas both have the potential to pick up where the Mighty Mouse left off. – Rappler.com