Talk ‘N Text escapes Air21’s late-game rally for first win

Game today:

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

6:30 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Meralco

The Talk N Text Tropang Texters withstood the Air21 Express’ furious endgame rally to post an 86-83 victory last night in the 38th PBA Comissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The wire-to-wire win allowed the Texters to finally barge into the win column as it evened their record to 1-1 (win-loss) following a 92-99 loss to the Meralco Bolts last Saturday.

Keith Benson fired 30 points and made some big shots down the stretch to lift the Texters. Most of Benson’s shots were made at point-blank range, missing just three of his 15 fieldgoal attempts.

It appeared the Texters were going to have an easy outing, taking control of the game for most of the way and even brought a huge, 72-51 lead going into the final frame.

KG Canaleta, however, ignited a searing Air21 rally, hitting one three-pointer after another in a run that saw the Express threatening at, 79-82 inside the final three minutes.

Benson scored in the paint that made it, 82-79 but Canaleta assisted import Michael Dunigan for a two-handed dunk, cutting Talk N Text’s lead to just one, 82-81 with 55.9 seconds left.

Benson, who also had 18 rebounds, scored on a putback off a Jared Dillinger miss while being fouled. He completed the three-point play for an 85-81 Talk ‘N Text lead. Dillinger made just one of his two free throws after an Air21 basket for the final count.