Talk ‘N Text shoots for 2-0 lead in PBA PH Cup Finals

THE TALK ‘N TEXT Tropang Texters will try to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series in the PBA Philippine Cup as they face a Powerade Tigers that is welcoming back top pick  JV Casio in Game 2 today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Texters are trying to become the first squad in 27 years to defend the All-Filipino title and they got off to a fantastic start in this particular quest after they downed the Tigers easily, 116-100, in Game 1  in Digos City, Davao de Sur.

Powerade sorely missed Casio, a feisty court general, who was given the night off by head coach Bo Perasol to recover from a nagging hamstring injury. Casio  is averaging 12.2 points and 6.1 assists per game.

Without Casio, the Tigers’ offense went nowhere early on as they trailed by 17, 21-38, after just one quarter of play.

Ryan Reyes spearheaded Talk N Text’s early onslaught with 11 points.

The Tropang Texters simply had too much firepower against the Tigers, who trailed early in the game by double digits and never recovered afterwards.

Jason Castro led Talk ‘N Text’s balanced attack with 23 points to go along with six rebounds and eight assists.

Ryan Reyes and Jared Dillinger each had 15 points while Larry Fonacier and Ranidel de Ocampo netted 14 apiece for the Tropang Texters. Ali Peek finished with 13 points.

The Tigers got just 19 from star wingman Gary David, his lowest output in the playoffs so far. At one point, the man known as “El Granada” notched six straight games with 30 points or more. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio