Talk 'N Text will have former University of Cincinnati player Eric Hicks as its reinforcement while James Penny has agreed in principle to play anew for Coca-Cola in the next PBA conference � the Fiesta Cup."Just confirmed last night (Thursday)," said TNT mentor Chot Reyes when asked Friday if they have already an import for the Fiesta Cup starts on March 21.
Hicks, regarded as a reliable inside player, is set to arrive on Monday.
TNT hopes to do better in the Fiesta Cup after failing to retain the Philippine Cup title when it lost to Barangay Ginebra in a five-game quarterfinal series, 3-2.
After his stint with the UC Bearcats, the 6-foot-6 Hicks played professional basketball for Telindus BC Oostende in Belgium, Polpak Swiecie in Poland and CSK VVS Samara in Russia.
His experience playing in the NBA Summer League where he suited up for Miami Heat and Boston Celtics is expected to serve TNT in good stead.
Hicks averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his last stint in the tough Euro League.
Coke, on the other hand, will have the 6-foot-5 Penny only if he can join the team in Dubai for an invitational tournament set March 5.
Penny just finished playing in Mexico and the Tigers are expecting his arrival on Monday.
"He's actually third on our list, but he's the first available player for the Dubai meet," Coke head coach Bo Perasol said. "I'm hoping that if he plays for us in Dubai, Penny will be the first and lastimport for us in the PBA."
"It's a tough tournament in Dubai. Teams are allowed to bring three imports. We don't want to play there just for the sake of competing, we want to use that to jumpstart our campaign in the PBA with a winning attitude," he added.
Perasol also said that having Penny, who powered Red Bull (now Barako Bull) to the Fiesta Cup title in 2006, in the Dubai meet will give him time to adjust particularly with new teammates like rookie guard Chris Ross and sophomore playmaker Marvin Cruz.
Purefoods, which leads Alaska, 1-0, in the best-of-seven Philippine Cup Finals, is eyeing several imports, including Reggie Larry.
The 6-foot-5 Larry almost made it to the team in last season's Fiesta Cup but suffered an injury during a practice game. The Giants replaced him with Brian Hamilton, and then Jahmar Thorpe before settling with Marquin Chandler.
Air21 (formerly Burger King) will also compete in the Dubai meet and the Express are expected to bring their import Leroy Hickerson.
Aside from TNT, Coke and Air21, other ball clubs already with import are defending champion San Miguel with reigning Best Import winner Gabe Freeman, Ginebra will have former NBA campaigner Awvee Storey, and Rain or Shine has tabbed anew Jai Lewis.
Sta. Lucia is finalizing its deal for the return of Anthony Johnson, while still searching for their imports are Alaska and Barako Bull
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