Cebu showtime legend Eloy Poligrates pays back trust of Talk ‘N Text teammates in winMikkel Bolante, InterAKTV · Monday, November 18, 2013 · 12:13 am
Sports5/Pranz Kaeno Billones
Talk ‘N Text rookie Eloy Poligrates could not have asked for a better start to his PBA career.
The Cebuano fan favorite, a third round pick, debuted on Sunday in front of a partisan New Cebu Coliseum crowd that cheered his every move — even a simple touch of the ball.
More importantly, his Tropang Texters teammates gave him the chance to live up to the cheers, repeatedly trusting him with the ball in a crucial fourth quarter run that turned a two-point deficit into a double-digit lead that the Meralco Bolts could not recover from.
“Eloy gave us a lift in today’s game. He definitely has the skills and drive to make it in the PBA,” Talk ‘N Text team manager Paolo Trillo told InterAKTV in a text message.
Despite veteran teammates Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag playing well to open the fourth quarter, the Tropang Texters showed little hesitation in getting Poligrates his touches in the final period.
Poligrates repaid his teammates’ trust as he scored nine consecutive Talk ‘N Text points in a 17-4 run that all but decided the game for the Tropang Texters.
He finished with 13 points in his first appearance as a pro. Before joining the PBA, Poligrates made his name in Cebuano basketball circles for his showtime antics in local games.
“Credit to the coaching staff and his teammates for getting him involved and recognizing his talents,” Trillo said.
Trillo added that more than just showing the ability to score, Poligrates has earned his teammates’ trust by doing the things that the team has asked of him.
“Eloy is also doing a good job of knowing his role within the team.”