Talk ’N Text bounces back from loss to Alaska, beats MLKP in Mayor’s Cup tourney

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

4 p.m. – MLKP-Cebu vs. Alaska

6 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs. Talk ’N Text

The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters bounced back from their opening day loss and trounced the hosts  M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños, 90-76, thanks to a sizzling fourth period performance in the Mayor Michael Rama Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Texters lost to the Alaska Aces, 70-73, in the main game last Friday night but regained their footing yesterday, even without the services of star guard Jimmy Alapag, who opted to sit out the match.

The game was played mostly on even terms and the Niños, who lost to San Mig Coffee in their first game, even took the lead in the fourth quarter, 60-58, after consecutive three pointers by Stephen Padilla and Jerick Canada.

But the Texters did not panic and put their starting five back in to finish the job off as they went on a 13-3 run anchored on the play of former MVP Kelly Williams.

The lithe power forward hit two mid-range jumpers and an undergoal stab while Ryan Reyes hit a corner three-pointer and Jayson Castro made a left-handed layup for a 71-63 lead with under seven minutes left.

The Niños were within five, 73-78, when the Texters dealt the death blow, a 14-3 blast to end the match.

Harvey Carey beat the rest of the defense down the floor and made a layup, Castro deftly hit a pull-up jumper while Reyes banked in a floater that put Talk ’N Text up, 86-73, with 2:07 remaining.

Five players tallied in double-figures for the Texters led by the 16 each of Williams and Castro. Eric Rodriguez and Padilla scored 14 each to lead the Niños.