Talk and Text activates original import Maurice Baker

Source : Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV
With his team’s Grand Slam bid in serious jeopardy, Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes is pressing the panic button.
The multi-titled mentor is bringing back original import Maurice Baker in place of the ineffective Scottie Reynolds, who was held to only two field goals in the pivotal game 5 of the 2011 PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals series between the Tropang Texters and the Petron Blaze Boosters. Talk ‘N Text lost the game, 93-80, and is now just one loss away from yielding the series.

Reynolds finished with just five points in game 5 on a measly 2-of-12 shooting from the field.

It was Reynolds’ second subpar game in the series, following his four-point output in game 1, which the Texters lost 89-88.

Reyes couldn’t hide his disappointment with Reynolds after the game 5 loss.

“May import ba kami?” said Reyes in sarcasm. “While their import was fantastic, ours sucks.”

The Baker gambit comes at a crucial juncture for Talk ‘N Text, which will miss the services of star guard Jason Castro for the remainder of the series.

The reactivation of Baker was confirmed by PBA Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial in a text message to InterAKTV.

Baker, a star in the NBA D-League with the Dakota Wizards, has stayed in town despite being replaced by Reynolds midway through the conference. He had been helping out in Talk ‘N Text’s practice as a member of the scouting unit, often playing the role of the opposing team’s imports.

He also helped Reynolds adjust to the Philippine game, often working together during practice.

“I also try to help Scottie out,” Baker earlier said. “I try to push him to bring the best out of him.”

“I want him to play well for the team. If I push him, he’ll play well.”

Baker attributed his decision to stay to the kinship he shared with his teammates.

“I just wanted to stay here and help them win,” he said.

After Reynolds’ stink bomb in game 5, Baker now gets a chance to help the Tropang Texters once again — this time under the bright lights of the arena instead of the practice venue.