CEBU CITY - Talk N' Text went on a late run to beat home team M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, 90-76, on Saturday in the Mayor Mike Rama Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.
Jason Castro and Kelly Williams each had 16 points to pace the Tropang Texters, who bounced back from a 70-73 loss to the Alaska Aces a day earlier even with star guard Jimmy Alapag sitting out the match.
The Ninos, which lost to San Mig Coffee, 60-68, in their opening game, held their own against the Texters and even took the lead, 60-58, after consecutive three-pointers by Stephen Padilla and Jerick Canada.
But the Texters pressed on the gas as soon as they got their starting five back into the game, going on a 13-3 run behind Williams who hit two midrange jumpers and an undergoal stab.
Ryan Reyes hit a corner three-pointer and Castro made a left-handed lay-up in that run that opened a 71-63 lead for the Texters with under seven minutes left.
The Niños moved within five, 73-78, but the Texters ended the match with a 14-3 blast to win pulling away.
Harvey Carey beat the rest of the defense down the floor and made a lay-up, Castro hit a pull-up jumper while Reyes banked in a floater that put them up, 86-73, with 2:07 remaining.
Reyes and Jason Escueta added 11 apiece for the Texters while Bambam Gamalinda had 10 points.
Padilla and Eric Rodriguez scored 14 each to lead the Niños.
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