By Rey Joble

TALK N Text, the newly crowned All-Filipino champion, will be banking its hopes on a European League veteran.

Sta. Lucia is also bringing in a new face in its bid for another respectable finish.

While some teams are tapping former imports, the Texters decided to acquire former Louisiana-Lafayette Raging Cajuns stalwart Tiras Wade. The Texters are trying to become the first team to win back-to-back championships in a season since Ginebra won twice in 2004.

Wade (no relation to National Basketball Association superstar Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat) is expected to arrive next week.

Wade, a 6’6” guard, applied for the NBA Draft in 2005. He didn’t make it to the big league and decided to pursue his career in the European League after a fruitful stint in college, leading his team in scoring (20.4 points per game). He finished in double figures in all the 30 games he played for his team in the 2004-05 season.

The Realtors injected an additional inside presence by tapping 6’6”, 230-pound forward AJ Jackson of Robert Morris University Colonials. He is the second leading scorer and rebounder during the 2006-2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association season.

“We decided to settle for a young talent because we’re sure he wants to make an immediate impact. He is a team player and a hard worker,” said Sta. Lucia mentor Boyet Fernandez.

Jackson also had a brief stint in the European League playing for France.

Jackson will certainly boost the veteran-laden Realtors’ big men anchored on Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino and will certainly complement the other young turks that include reigning Most Valuable Player Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, Joseph Yeo and Dennis Miranda.