Carey carries load for depleted Texters

MANILA, Philippines - With three of Talk n Text’s stars out of commission, Harvey Carey has helped carry out the mission for the Tropang Texters, who got past a tough rival and into a share of the lead in the early going of the PBA Philippine Cup.

His 28-point, 14-rebound performance in TnT’s 107-98 romp over Rain or Shine last Friday netted Carey the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 10 to 16.

It was his second citation in the season that further underscored his role as the team’s do-it-all forward, particularly in the absence of Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag.

“Well-deserved,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes, noting how Carey continues to step up his game for the team still missing the services of the three aces, who were given time off following their rigorous stint with the national squad.

“In the absence of our three national players Harv has assumed the leadership role for the team, not only spiritually but with his monster game as well. His numbers showed that he can be a go-to guy if necessary, yet doesn’t mind being a role player for the good of the team.”

The 28 points Carey scored were just two shy of his career-best established five seasons ago and included a triple that not only ended his string of missed treys at 29 since his rookie season in 2003, but also pushed the Texters ahead to stay right in the third period.

Not bad at all for a player who, Reyes admitted, has no single play designed for him.

“It only meant he scraped and scratched for those,” Reyes said.

In all, Carey improved his conference averages to 19.5 points and 12 rebounds as TnT improved to a 2-0 mark.

The Petron Boosters have vaulted back into the solo lead with a 3-0 slate but with the Texters’ three national players expected to be back on Oct. 20 and Carey dishing out big games, expect TnT to continue to explode.