Japeth Aguilar struggled mightily against his former team and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters easily defeated the Globalport Batang Pier, 99-79, last night in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After scoring in double figures in two of Globalport’s first three games, Aguilar managed just four points, way below his average of 15 points a game.
Aguilar’s lowest output as a Batang Pier was nine when Globalport nipped the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Friday, 89-80.
Using their solid defensive efforts, the Texters turned the game around in the second half where they limited Globalport to just 24 points.
Batang Pier led after one quarter of play, 27-22, but Talk N Text stepped up on defense to lead at the bend, 49-45. Talk N Text stretched the advantage to, 71-61 after the third, sealing the victory pulling away.
The win was Talk N Text’s second straight, earning a piece of second place with Barako Bull and Petron Blaze with identical 2-1 (win-loss) slates.
Petron was still playing the Meralco Bolts as of this writing.
Globaport absorbed its second loss in four games, still failing to win back-to-back games in the young tournament.
Keith Benson continued to impress for Talk N Tex as he finished with 20 points. Veteran point guard Jimmy Alapag bagged the Best Player of the Game award by tallying 15 points and seven assists.
Three other Texters finished in double figures with Jayson Castro, Jared Dillinger and Larry Fonacier adding 19, 15 and 13 markers, respectively.
Import Justin Williams paced Globalport with 19 markers, while Gary David and Sol Mercado chipped in 19 and 14, respectively.
BOX SCORES
TALK N’ TEXT (99)- Benson 20, Castro 19, Alapag 15, Dillinger 14, Fonacier 13, Al-Hussaini 6, De Ocampo 4, Carey 4, Gamalinda 2, Williams 2, Raymundo 0, Reyes 0, Alvarez 0.
GLOBALPORT (79)- Williams 19, David 19, Mercado 14, Yee 7, Mandani 4, Aguilar 4, Salvador 4, Adducul 4, Deutchman 2, Miller 2, Aljamal 0. QUARTERSCORES: 22-27, 49-45, 71-61, 99-79.