Cat-quick Jason Castro engineered a telling third quarter run and the Talk ’N Texters recovered from a listless first half to repulse the Petron Blaze Boosters, 103-85, in a tension-filled Game 2 of the 36th PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
Castro erupted for 24 points, 11 coming in the third quarter that saw the Texters outscore the Boosters, 30-17, to turn a 41-48 deficit into a 71-65 edge, leading to the fourth period.
The Texters quickly put the game away by opening the fourth with a blistering 14-0 tear for a commanding 83-65 lead as the Boosters didn’t score untill the nine-minute mark of the fourth.
The Texters, who are looking to complete a rare grand- slam feat, evened the series at 1-all, erasing the stigma of their sorry 88-89 Game 1 loss.
Tension flared up in the first half that saw players from both camps getting ejected.
Talk ‘N Text’s Ali Peek and Mark Yee and Petron’s Jojo Duncil were thrown out following a near scuffle that nearly resulted in a free-for-all affair. The trouble broke out when Alex Cabagnot hit Castro in the bread basket. Castro slumped on the floor while players figured in a shoving match.
In the first period, a bloodied Ranidel de Ocampo had to temporarily leave the floor after he was hacked in the head by Mick Pennisi.
BOX SCORES
TALK ‘N TEXT (103)- Castro 24, Reynolds 18, Fonacier 13, Williams 12, Alapag 12, Carey 8, De Ocampo 7, Reyes 3, Dillinger 2, Peek 2, Aban 2.
PETRON (85)- Santos 29, Grundy 23, Miranda 8, Pennisi 7, Hubalde 6, Cabagnot 5, Ildefonso 5, Guevarra 1, Salvacion 1.
QUARTERSCORES: 19-27, 41-48, 71-65, 103-85