WILLIE Miller is thrilled to be back in the PBA, saying he won't mind playing second or third fiddle at a Talk 'N Text side that signed him to a contract for the rest of the season.
The 37-year-old two-time MVP was left unsigned at the start of the season and pondering retirement, but got a new lease on life from a Texters team that is looking to fill the gap left by the retirement of Jimmy Alapag.
As he resumes his pro career, Miller said he no longer expects to play his usual go-to guy role, saying he is ready to play back-up to Talk 'N Text's young backcourt of Jayson Castro, Kevin Alas and Robert Labagala.
“Ano lang tayo, supporting role lang. Okay lang sa akin yun. Hindi ko naman kailangang maging star rito. Alam ko pwesto ko," said the high-scoring guard out of Letran.
"Lalo pa tong Talk 'N Text, maayos na team 'to, contender, kaya ayaw ko namang makagulo pa,” Miller added. “Basta ako, kung ano ang ipagawa sa akin, gagampanan ko.”
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Miller already has an idea what his role at Talk 'N Text would be.
“Ano lang siguro ako, leader ng second at third group. Okay na ako run. Kasi ang top point guard spot, iikot na kila Kevin at Robert yun,” he said.
Miller's biggest concern right now is on how to get in the best of shape after being away from high-level basketball for more than four months now.
“'Yun nga problema ko eh. Maliit na ang panahon ko para maghabol, pero sisikapin ko magpa-kundisyon agad, lalo na ang Talk 'N Text, takbuhan talaga. Kaya kailangan ko maglagay ng langis sa tuhod at gulong sa mga paa,” Miller said laughing.
“Kundisyon naman din ako kasi hindi naman ako nabakante sa basketball. 'Yun nga lang, iba talaga dito sa PBA. Hindi basta-basta,” he added.
Still, Miller takes pride in saying that his four months away from the PBA didn't entirely go to waste, having spent it travelling around the country playing in different bush leagues.
“Okay nga, kasi nagka chance ako na makasama ang mga tao na hindi ko nadadalaw dati nung nasa PBA pa ako. Ang sarap ng feeling na makasalamuha sila at maibalik lamang ang suporta nila sa akin dati,” he said.
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In that short span, Miller bared he won four titles while playing for different teams like the Siargao Legends in the just concluded 4th DeLeague in Marikina City.
“Naka-apat o lima ata akong championship. Kaya pagbalik ko sa PBA, proud ko na ipagmamalaki na four-time champion ako ngayon,” he said of his titles won in Marikina, Isabela, Cagayan de Oro and just last Friday in Iloilo city.
Former Barako Bull Energy coach Bong Ramos is happy to see the flamboyant Miller back in the PBA.
“Pwedeng pwede pa yan. Nasa paggamit lang kay Willie 'yan, merun pang role na pwedeng ipagawa dyan,” said Ramos.
“Maayos yang tao na 'yan, siya nga nag-lead ng team ko nung nakarating kami sa quarters ng all-Filipino (conference) last year, sixth place kami nun. Walang nag-akala na aabot kami run,” he added.
Ramos also sees a lot of positives in Miller’s arrival at Talk 'N Text.
“Magaling mag-lead ng mga bata 'yun. Isang talent ni Willie is i-guide yung mga bata sa kanya. Hindi madamot magturo yan,” shared Ramos.
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