By NOLI S. CORTEZ

TALK N Text is one team that has failed to live up to its pre-tournament favorite billing the last two conferences.

Things could drastically change this time for TNT, however. Not with a power-packed lineup that got even more potent and an opening day assignment the Tropang Texters have every motivation to want to hurdle.

"It’s just the first game of a long season and normally I don’t put too much emphasis at the start," said TNT coach Chot Reyes yesterday on the eve of his team’s clash with Coca-Cola today at the start of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

"But since it is Coke we’re playing then the game gets an added dimension. We definitely want to start out with a win."

One can’t fault Reyes and his charges for wanting so badly to beat Coke.

In the same tournament last season, the Tigers won in the two teams’ meeting in the final game of the eliminations, foiling what was then the Phone Pals’ hopes of forcing a playoff with Magnolia for the third and last outright quarterfinals slot.

That relegated TNT to a do-or-die wildcard showdown against the Tigers and again the latter won.

Also, the Tigers have won all their last four meetings or since trading Asi Taulava for Ali Peek last year..

Coke was relatively hardly touched by the pre-season changes, acquiring only free agent pointy guard Froilan Baguion and undrafted rookie center Lawrence Bonus.

Those are small steps compared to the ones TNT made as the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned franchise acquired four players from the draft and included a two-week stint in Italy in its buildup.

Those are moves Reyes hopes will get his team right back on track and help it live up to its favorite tag.

There is already much to aid TNT turn its fortunes around as it now has a team that has speed, experience and flash.

Former three-time PBL MVP Jason Castro, whom TNT traded Jay Washington to San Miguel Beer for to acquire as the No. 3 pick, leads the draftees that also include Rob Reyes, JP Escobal and Jared Dillinger, but it could be the latter, the No. 2 pick overall, who should steal the show.

The slam-dunking University of Hawaii product, whose mother hails from San Carlos City, Pangasinan, has a wide variety of offensive moves in his 6-foot-4, 199-lb frame.

The 6’6 Reyes should also get some minutes alternating with Yancy de Ocampo and Don Carlos Allado at the slot since Peek is out with a torn calf muscle.

Taulava, one of the few names national coach Yeng Guaio mentioned as probable members of the RP quintet, is bent on extending Coke’s run against his former team.

For the first time in a long while, the 6’9 behemoth is already in tip-top shape for the season-opening conference, hiring his own physical conditioner cum nutritionist in the off-season. He now weighs an ideal 265 pounds.

"It’s a thing that I don’t normally do (paying for nutritionist)," said Taulava, who averaged 13.5 points and 12.5 rebounds last season, one of only few to norm in double figures in both departments.

"Before, everything is taken cared of by my former team. But it doesn’t matter. I’m fit now and I’m ready."

Coca-Cola ‘s core remains intact with veterans Nic Belasco, Mark Telan and Alex Cabagnot. Ronjay Buenafe, too, is one player who could contribute after a stunning rookie season.

Before the lone game begins, a 90-minute opening ceremony will
be held featuring the Las Pinas Choir Boys, the teams’ respective muses and US Ambassador Kristie Kelly as special guest.