League-leader Talk ‘N Text bounces back from first loss, beats Ginebra in second Dubai game

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

4 p.m.- Alaska vs. Petron

6:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Powerade

Grand slam-seeking Talk ‘N Text caught fire in the second quarter then quelled Barangay Ginebra’s repeated rallies in the second half to post a 123-113 win on Friday night in the 36th PBA Governors’ Cup at Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai, UAE.

Talk ‘N Text turned to their potent outside shooting to cripple Ginebra, piling up a total of 14 triples on 38 attempts as the Texters regained solo lead in the standings with their fourth win in five games.

Coming off a 105-111 loss against the B-Meg Llamados also in Dubai a day before, the Texters went to work early behind the tandem of Maurice Baker and Jimmy Alapag.

Baker scored 19 of his 23 points in the first half, Alapag went 3-of-4 from the three-point land in a 30-8 run in the second period that saw the Texters lead by as many as 25 points, 62-37.

“We lost the game against B-Meg on effort. But tonight we did what we have to do, including the little things. We dove for loose balls, we played good defense and battled for rebounds and shot the ball very well in the first half,” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes told pba.ph after the team’s crucial victory that brought them closer to earning a semifinal slot.

Curtis Stinson finished with a game-high 30 points for the Kings, who absorbed their second loss in four games.