BARANGAY Ginebra coach Ato Agustin was left to rue the "disappearing act" of import Dior Lowhorn on Sunday night in the Gin Kings' costly 99-113 defeat to Talk ‘N Text at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The wide-bodied Lowhorn scored 31 points for Ginebra but none came in the final quarter, allowing Talk 'N Text to put the game away behind a barrage of three-pointers from Jimmy Alapag.
Instead of a guaranteed place in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals, Ginebra will have to meet the same Talk 'N Text team again 24 hours later in a playoff just to clinch the eighth and last spot in the playoffs.
“Nakahabol na kami pero again sa pick and roll na naman sila umiskor sa amin sa fourth quarter and then, (Jimmy) Alapag hit his three-points kaya kami natalo,” said Agustin after the game.
Agustin credited Sean Anthony’s fronting, physical defense for keeping Lowhorn in check in the payoff period.
“Yung offense pa namin nawala, especially sa crunch time kaya dun kami maga-adjust. Si Dior na front ni Sean Anthony, maganda ang depensa niya. I think zero siya (Lowhorn) sa fourth quarter so titingnan namin paano mag-adjust dun,” explained the former PBA MVP.
With less than 24 hours to make adjustments, Agustin said he’ll spending the rest of Sunday night and early Monday morning trying to find ways to stop the offense of Talk ‘N Text.
He has his work cut out for him.
Six Talk ‘N Text players finished in double-figures on Sunday night led by import Courtney Fells’ 26 points. Harvey Carey gave the team a big lift off the bench with 18 points and grabbed 11 boards.
Veteran center Ali Peek had 16, while Gilas Pilipinas mainstays Alapag, Larry Fonacier and Jason Castro chipped in 15, 12 and 11 points, respectively in a balanced scoring attack for Talk ‘N Text.
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