Talk ‘N Text does not seem distracted by its title campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup as it completed its import lineup for next month’s Governors’ Cup by signing two reinforcements including an American-Jordanian.
The Tropang Texters, who at presstime hold a 1-0 lead over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Commissioner’s Cup finals, signed Steffphon Pettigrew as its regular import and Sam Daghles as the Asian reinforcement.
Pettigrew, who stands at 6-foot-5, is a former teammate of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar at Western Kentucky University, while the 6-foot-2 Daghles is no stranger to Filipino fans, having played against the Philippines in numerous FIBA Asia competitions.
The 35-year-old Jordanian-American is expecting his PBA stint to be physical.
“I heard it’s a physical league, but I’m excited for that,” said Daghles after watching TNT’s 99-92 victory over Rain or Shine last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m all about (winning) championships, and I don’t care about individual awards. That’s why I made a decision to come play for TNT ‘coz they are all about winning championships.”
“Anything short, maybe a disappointment. My job is to come help the team, like passing the ball, scoring, defense… whatever they want I’m here to help,” added Daghles, who is fresh from a tournament in Jordan.
Aside from having former counterpart Jimmy Alapag, the many time national team player and current TNT team manager, Daghles feels at home with TNT as it has in the coaching staff onetime Jordan mentor Tab Baldwin.
A team consultant at Talk ‘N Text and now the coach of Gilas Pilipinas, Daghles said the 55-yar-old Baldwin’s presence is crucial not only for the Tropang Texters but for the national team.