Talk ’N Text going with Dominique Sutton as playoffs import

MANILA, Philippines – Assuming they advance to the postseason of the PBA Governors’ Cup, the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters plan to utilize new import Dominique Sutton, who will replace Steffphon Pettigrew. 

The move was confirmed to Rappler on Monday, June 22, by Tropang Texters team manager Jimmy Alapag. 

“Yes, if all works out for the playoffs, we will have Dominique Sutton as our new import,” Alapag said.

Talk ’N Text ended their conference elimination round campaign with a 5-6 record following a win against KIA and is currently in eighth place in the league standings. Only the top 8 squads advance to the playoffs, with the lower 4 teams facing twice-to-beat disadvantages. 

Talk ’N Text will advance to the playoffs and grab the eighth seed if the Meralco Bolts defeat the KIA Carnival on Wednesday, June 24. If KIA wins, the Tropang Texters will miss a PBA playoffs for the first time in two seasons and only the second time in the last 16 conferences, per PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III. 

After his team’s win against the Carnival, Talk ’N Text head coach Jong Uichico did not confirm if Sutton would replace Pettigrew despite previous reports that would be the case. 

“We haven’t discussed it yet. So far nandiyan parin si Steff (Steff is still there),” he said. “We haven’t decided yet on who, and when, and what. We will get there in the next week, pero wala pa kaming (but we still don’t have a) decision on what’s going to happen.” 

But with the North Carolina Central product now expected to suit up for the team, Talk ’N Text fans can look forward to having someone who stands 6-foot-5 and averaged 26 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.4 steals a contest in his first tour of import duty with Air21 last PBA season.

Pettigrew, who scored 11 points in his last game for the Tropang Texters, averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a game this conference.

“We are very appreciative for all that Steffphon did for TNT. He joined the team under some tough conditions coming off the short break from last conference, but he was a great teammate and worked very hard,” Alapag said. 

If Talk ’N Text makes the playoffs as the no. 8 seed, they will face the Alaska Aces in the quarterfinals.

– Rappler.com