TALK ‘N Text survived a furious endgame rally by Globalport to pull off a 102-95 victory and snap a two-game skid in their PBA Governors Cup on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Batang Pier mounted a last stand in the final two minutes behind import Markeith Cummings, cutting down a 14-point deficit to five, 95-100, while pouncing on a maze of turnovers by the Tropang Texters.
But Talk ‘N Text’s championship poise showed in the waning seconds as diminutive guard Jason Castro pulled down a key offensive rebound off import Tony Mitchell’s bungled three-point attempt.
Castro then went to the foul line off Cummings’ duty foul, going two-for-two to all but sealed the outcome of the match.
“We’re not a very good team right now so I think every game will be tough. Everything right now for us is a big struggle, so hopefully we can win in our next games,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said.
The Talk ‘N Text win forged a three-way logjam for fourth spot in the standings with idle Meralco and its victim, Globalport, on 2-2 win-loss records.
Black admitted that with three of his four Gilas Pilipinas players suiting up in just their second game this conference after taking a two-week break, the team is still in an adjustment period.
“I think it’s gonna take some time before we get adjusted and blend. As you know, we’re the most committed to the national team since we have the most players in the Gilas teams,” he said.
“And we agreed to give them rest after he Fiba-Asia. We got them in now in the middle of the conference, so it’s still an adjustment period going for them.”
Larry Fonacier, one of four Talk ‘N Text players who played for Gilas in the Fiba-Asia championships, scored 19 points including back-to-back three-pointers during a 19-7 exchange midway in the final period that gave the Texters a 96-82 cushion with 5:47 to go.
Mitchell again led Talk ‘N Text with 35 points and nine rebounds. Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo chipped in 12 and 11 points, respctively, in a solid local support.
Globalport drew 33 points, nine boards and three assists from Cummings while Gary David and Jay Washington added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
The scores:
Talk N' Text 102 - Mitchell 35, Fonacier 19, Castro 12, De Ocampo 11, Reyes 8, Al-Hussaini 6, Anthony 5, Aban 5, Peek 1, Carey 0.
GlobalPort 95 - Cummings 33, David 15, Washington 14, Mercado 10, Hayes 8, Alonzo 5, Nabong 4, Lingganay 4, Salvador 2, Buensuceso 0, Miller 0.
Quarterscores: 26-19, 49-44, 77-75, 102-95
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