TALK ‘N Text coach Norman Black said the team may just have to stick it out with Tony Mitchell in the ongoing PBA Governors' Cup despite the Texters' current skid and the import's defensive limitations.
Mitchell, the high-scoring import out of North Texas, redeemed himself from a poor seven-point output on Wednesday by scoring 27 points and grabbing nine rebounds but couldn't save the Texters from losing to the new-look Air21 Express, 102-106, Friday night.
The loss dropped Talk ‘N Text deeper down the cellar at 2-5, in a tie with Air21, its quarterfinal hopes suddenly in peril.
Black admitted after the game that Mitchell is no doubt, a scoring import, but the former NBA D-League Slam Dunk king has become a big defensive liability for the ballclub.
“We don’t really have an import who’s defensive-minded,” said Black of Mitchell. “He’s basically a scorer. He can score, but defensively, he can’t stop anybody. That’s (playing defense) is his weakness. He can’t help us in that area.”
The multi-titled PBA mentor admitted they have been looking for other options. But with the best possible reinforcements trying out in the NBA camps at this point, they may have no choice but stick with Mitchell.
“We’ve been trying to look into other options but the problem is the best players are going to the NBA camps right now, so they (possible imports) don’t want to come to the Philippines to play a couple of weeks,” added Black.
Talk ‘N Text returns to action on Wednesday to play Rain or Shine at the Cuneta Astrodome before winding up its elimination-round schedule against Barangay Ginebra at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The last two matches would more or less determine the Tropang Texters’ fate this conference.
Two teams will be eliminated after the single-round format with the top four finishers earning twice-to-beat incentives heading to the quarterfinals.
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