DONNELL Harvey has yet to play his first official game for Talk `N Text in this year's PBA Commissioner’s Cup, but he already has pumped up the rest of the team.
“I have an unfinished business,” Harvey told his Tropang Texters teammate shortly after the squad arrived in Legazpi City on Thursday for its weekend road game against Barako Bull.
Harvey is obviously talking about last year’s edition of the mid-season tournament which he and Talk `N Text lost in a classic Game Seven to San Mig Coffee (formerly B-Meg) and Denzel Bowles in the finals.
The emphatic statement also comes at a time when the Tropang Texters are reeling from back-to-back losses that relegated them to seventh place in the standings.
“Talagang inspired siya na bumawi at tulungan ang team namin. Hindi raw siya titigil hangga’t hindi siya nakakakuha ng korona dito sa PBA,” Talk `N Text veteran big man Ranidel De Ocampo said as he shared to Spin.ph the bold remarks made by their returning 6-foot-8 import.
“Sabi nga niya, meron pa daw siyang kailangang tapusin.”
De Ocampo however, expressed concern over Harvey’s condition in his first game back against the Energy Cola.
“Oo nga eh, pagod pa siya. Saka masakit daw `yung paa niya kasi maliit na plane yung nasakyan niya papunta rito … nangawit daw,” said De Ocampo of Keith Benson’s replacement, who spent almost the whole Friday sleeping and resting in the team’s hotel.
De Ocampo also said Harvey needs to work double time adjusting to the Tropang Texters’ new plays as they now use a slightly different system under coach Norman Black.
“Iba rin kasi ngayon dahil nung huli namin siya makasama si coach Chot (Reyes) pa. Tapos naglaro siya sa China, Fiba rules dun, ibang-iba sa PBA,” added the 31-year old pride of Tanza, Cavite.
For his part, Black is very optimistic Harvey can give the franchise a big lift.
“He brings us toughness in the paint and should make our defense stronger,” said Black.
But like De Ocampo, the Talk `N Text coach is also a bit concerned about the physical conditioning of the six-year NBA veteran as he only had little time playing together with the team upon his arrival.
“He is coming under a difficult situation because his first game is in the province and he just arrived (in the country),” added the multi-titled coach.
“But we will try to get back on track versus Barako Bull.”
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