VETERAN forward Larry Fonacier said Talk ’N Text is fully recharged and all set for its bid for a fourth successive PBA Philippine Cup title.
The Fiba Asia stint of Fonacier, Jason Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo affected the Texters’ performance in the season-ending Governors’ Cup but now they hope to start the new season with a bang after a long break and a training stint at the Joe Abunassar Impact Basketball Center in Las Vegas.
Fonacier, one of the team’s acknowledged leaders, said they are determined to make up for their poor Governors Cup performance that saw them miss the playoffs after losing to Barangay Ginebra in the knockout match for the last quarterfinal berth.
But at the same time, Fonacier admitted the Texters' early Governors Cup exit was a blessing in disguise as it helped most of their top players recharge after a long season that saw them juggle commitments with both the PBA ballclub and the national team.
“Tamang tama lang ang timing before our first game on November 17 kasi last conference, yun ang pinakamatagal na break namin (after being eliminated), since we played a lot in the semis and finals (in previous seasons), so that break helped us,” Fonacier said.
Now the refreshed Texters are nearing top form again after putting in the work at the renowned Joe Abunassar Impact Basketball Center in Las Vegas.
“After our two-week training (in the US), medyo maganda na conditioning naming lahat,” Fonacier told Spin.ph.
With Gilas Pilipinas set to resume training for its Fiba World Cup campaign, Fonacier intends to spend more time in the gym to keep himself in the best shape of his career.
“Siguro, I just need to spend more time in the gym. Kailangang magpalakas ng katawan in this type of schedule,” explained the 31-year-old Talk ’N Text gunner, referring to the expected adjusted PBA schedule this coming season to give way to Gilas’ participation in the World Cup in Spain next year.
Fonacier, the 2011-2012 Philippine Cup Finals MVP, averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 54 games this past season.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph