• JAPETH BACK AS TNT TACKLES MERALCO IN ANTIPOLO

Published on October 6, 2011

Japeth Aguilar finally resurfaces in the pro league while Smart Gilas teammate Jason Ballesteros
makes his own pro debut, facing each other in the main game of the third playdate of the 2011-12 PBA
Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Friday.

Aguilar and Ballesteros will likely have their matchup, and that’s among the interesting points in
the 7:30 p.m. setto between the Talk n Text Tropang Texters and the Meralco Bolts.

The Texters are back after narrowly missing a Triple Crown last season. They’re returning to
action with a souped-up lineup.

Aguilar, the 2009 top draft pick who then played only one game with Burger King before jumping over
to Smart Gilas, helps Ali Peek, Gilbert Lao and Harvey Carey man the TnT frontline while Kelly
Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo are on vacation.

Rookie guard Pamboy Raymundo will likely have his use, too, while Jimmy Alapag is also away.

“I feel a lot of excitement tinged with apprehension because we don’t have our three national
players,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

Williams, Alapag and De Ocampo are accorded a three-week rest after 11 months of non-stop
basketball. 

Aguilar, the 6-foot-9 player with the experience of US NCAA play, is likely to assume a key role for
TnT right away in the absence of the three.

Aguilar and his teammates will be up against the Meralco team upbeat with an upgraded roster.

Coach Ryan Gregorio and his charges are hopeful they can surpass their fifth place finish in the
all-Filipino tourney last year. 

“It will be interesting to see how our seven new players will blend in. One thing is certain, we
will exhibit toughness on the court and we will compete for every possession just to increase our
chance to win,” said Gregorio.

Gregorio, however, admitted they have their job cut out for them versus the Texters.

“Talk n Text, with its vast experience, is always a tough match-up. They have a strong roster on
every position and with Japeth in their lineup, it even fortified their roster power,” Gregorio
said.

Meralco also strengthened its lineup in signing up rookies Ballesteros and Gilbert Bulawan and
trading for Mark Yee, Chico Lanete and Mark Macapagal.

Ballesteros, a former San Sebastian stalwart in the NCAA, could well be a big key in the team’s
future. 

Meantime, Meralco is likely to rely heavily on its old stars for point production.

“We will still miss Sol (Mercado) but Mac Cardona will start out the conference healthy,” said
Gregorio.

“We’re excited to play our first game. We are truly energized specially with the roster upgrade
that we did in the off-season,” Gregorio added. (SB)