Talk ‘N Text escapes Petron in Game 1 of best-of-seven PBA semifinal round series

Game today :

Araneta Coliseum

6:30 p.m. – Powerade vs. Rain or Shine

Larry Fonacier drilled in 22 points and shot 5-of-8 from the three-point area to lead the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to an 87-83 victory over the Petron Blaze Boosters in Game 1 of the best-of-seven semifinal series of the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The reigning champions Tropang Texters also withstood a late-game barrage from Alex Cabagnot and the rest of the Boosters to eke out the close win and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

In what has become the rivalry to watch in past conferences, the Tropang Texters led for most of the game but had to pull out some much-needed stops down the stretch to draw first blood in what most pundits expect to be a long series.

Fonacier played the role of fireman for the Texters as he scored half of his total output in the payoff quarter when the Boosters tried to stage a comeback. The Boosters’ last ditch effort was led by Cabagnot, who scored all 18 of his points in the second half.

Cabagnot scored a three-pointer and followed that up with a floater and two free-throws while Arwind Santos connected on a short baseline jumper that got Petron to within two, 83-85, with 21.7 seconds remaining.

Talk ‘N Text, meanwhile, welcomed back center Ali Peek, who was shot by an assailant several months ago after the team’s practice.