Talk N Text stays clean in PBA Philippine Cup

THE DEFENDING champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters edged out Barako Bull Energy Cola, 79-76, to remain unbeaten in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk ’N Text solidified its hold of the solo number spot with its five wins in as many games, while Barako Bull slumped to its third loss in five games.

The two teams struggled to score points in the closing minutes and it took a three-pointer from Jason Castro inside the final two minutes to decide the outcome of the contest.

The Texters zoomed to a 72-61 lead at the 10:31 mark of the fourth. The Energy Cola clawed back behind Doug Kramer, who scored nine straight points in his team’s 13-0 run that tied the contest at 72-all with 7:37 left.

Kelly Williams dropped a jumper from the top of the key, while Ryan Reyes converted a break-away layup as Talk ’N Text regained the lead, 76-72.

Barako Bull tied the score once again, 76-76, on back-to-back baskets by Roger Yap and Enrico Villanueva.

The 10th deadlock of the game occurred in the 4:01 mark and the score traded empty possessions until Castro delivered the marginal basket.

The play saw Jimmy Alapag penetrate the shaded lane before flipping a pass to Castro, who sank the crucial triple with 1:27 left.

Yap misfired a three-point shot with 36 seconds left but Barako Bull still got the chance to tie the contest when the Texters committed a 24-shotclock violation in then next play.

Barako Bull failed to capitalize on Talk ’N Text’s miscue as Josh Urbiztondo missed a forced shot beyond the arc as time ran out.

Castro topped Talk ’N Text with 15 points, while Fonacier and Ali Peek had 13 and 10 markers, respectively.

Villanueva paced the Energy Cola with 16 points, while Kramer added 15./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA