Texters beat Painters, solidify hold of top spot

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

3 p.m.- Alaska vs. Shopinas.com

5:30 p.m.- B-Meg vs. Ginebra

JASON CASTRO delivered big baskets in the extension period but none bigger than a gutsy layup in the dying seconds that towed the badly depleted Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters  to a tight 106-104 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Xavier Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

Castro finished with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Texters cemented their hold of the solo lead with their eighth win in nine games.

The Texters pulled off the big win despite playing without injured key players Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Rich Alvarez and Aaron Aban. Big man Ali Peek continued to be sidelined while recuperating from a gunshot wound in the nape.

With Castro and the help of the inspired game of Ranidel De Ocampo, Talk ‘N Text overcame the handicap.

Castro scored nine points in the extra session, including a tough layup in the final 1.8 seconds that shattered a 104-all standoff.

Jeff Chan forced the deadlock after he dropped a three pointer with six seconds left.

Rain or Shine had one last chance of stealing the game but Beau Belga missed an off-balanced three-point shot as time ran out.

De Ocampo was also big for the Texters, tallying a game-high 27 points before he was slowed down by leg cramps in the closing minutes./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA