Talk ’N Text nearly blows 21-point lead before escaping Alaska in PBA out-of-town game
By Calvin D. CordovaCebu Daily News
Games today
Araneta Coliseum
4:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs Barako Bull
6:30 p.m.- Petron vs. B-Meg
The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters survived an spirited endgame comeback by the Alaska Aces to pull off a much-needed 80-72 win last night in an out-of-town game of the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
The Texters badly needed the win to boost their sagging playoff campaign as they tallied their second win in five games.
Despite posting a 21-point lead in the third quarter, the Texters still had to scramble before disposing a sputtering Alaska squad, which ended up absorbing its sixth loss with only one win to show.
The Aces started to rally in the fourth when they strung up 13 unanswered points to move within seven points, 66-73, in the final 3:43.
Import Paul Harris ended the bleeding for Talk ’N Text by completing a putback but his counterpart Jason Forte answered with four straight points as the Aces further trimmed the deficit, 70-75, with 2:19 left.
Forte pulled the Aces closer when he converted two free throws, making it 72-75 with 1:15 to go.
Talk ’N Text badly needed a basket and Ranidel de Ocampo delivered one as the sweet-shooting forward nailed a booming triple that stretched the Texters’ lead to 78-72.
It turned out the Aces wouldn’t score again after Forte’s free throws as Jayson Castro helped Talk ’N Text ice the win with a strong drive to the basket with 39 seconds left.
BOXSCORES:
TALK N TEXT (80)- Harris 25, Fonacier 16, De Ocampo 9, Williams 8, Aguilar 6, Castro 4, Peek 4, Gamalinda 3, Aban 3, Alapag 2.
ALASKA (72)- Forte 24, Baracael 20, Espinas 8, Thoss 6, Eman 5, Baguio 5, Custodio 2, Dela Cruz 2, Tenorio 0, Jazul 0, Cablay 0. QUARTERSCORES: 16-22 45-35 66-49 80-72.
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Tags: 37th PBA Governors’ Cup , Alaska Aces , Talk ’N Text
