Texters check skid, blow Energy in OT

Games today (MOA Arena)

3 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Petron

5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text pulled a repeat of its escape act the last time out as it blew away a big lead before carving out an 87-80 overtime triumph over Barako Bull in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

Jayson Castro scored six of his 23 points in the extra period while Ranidel de Ocampo also churned out big plays as the Tropang Texters fended off the Energy Cola’s big comeback from a 23-point deficit and improved to 5-2 at third place.

In their last game, Talk n Text recovered after squandering a 21-point spread, pulling off a 90-87 win over Rain or Shine.

The Texters did virtually the same trick as they handed the Energy Cola their sixth straight loss.

The Energy Cola actually had a chance to steal the game in regulation but Denok Miranda threw away their possession with 2.4 ticks left.

Mick Pennisi blocked a shot by Castro at the buzzer and the game went to overtime at 71.

“I’m not sure if we found a solution to their zone but we won the game and that’s the most important thing,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“We’re on a roller-coaster ride. Fortunately, Jason Castro came through and we held on to win the game,” Black added.

Pennisi, Dorian Peña, Willie Miller and JC Intal teamed up for the Energy Cola as they made a spirited chase from 14-37 down, pulling even at 71 on a Miller three-pointer with 29 ticks left.

The Energy Cola faded away in the closing seconds of overtime, though, and remained on a skid since their impressive 2-0 start in the tourney.

Kept on the bench in the first half, Peña checked in at the start of the third period and delivered some hustle plays helping the Energy Cola to within 13, 44-57, going into the final canto.

They further narrowed down the gap at 51-57 as Ronjay Buenafe sank two charities, Pennisi drained a trey then Intal also knocked in his own free throws at the start of the payoff quarter.

Miller and Pennisi took over later as the Energy Cola went on to force overtime.

In an overpowering first-half performance, the Texters led by as many as 23 at 37-14.

The Texters made their outside shots against the Energy Cola’s zone defense and built an early double-digit spread at 16-5.

Barako Bull enjoyed the lead just once as Buenafe opened scoring with a split from the line. De Ocampo quickly answered with a three-pointer and the Texters went on an early scoring binge.

The Texters were as mean on the defensive end, yielding just seven markers in the first quarter and 12 in the second.

The Energy Cola scored only 19 points in the first 24 minutes while held to just 20 rebounds and only three assists. They hit at a mere 14.3-percent clip in the opening quarter and 25 percent in the next.

Meanwhile, Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra try to keep their 1-2 positions as they battle Rain or Shine and Alaska Milk, respectively, tonight.

The Boosters tangle with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 3 p.m. then the Kings tackle the Aces at 5:15 p.m. in another Petron Blaze-sponsored Saturday special in the all-Filipino tourney.

Coach Gee Abanilla is again up against mentor coach Yeng Guiao as Petron stakes its clean 7-0 slate and the solo lead against the dangerous RoS side.

The Kings, at 6-1, are also up for a tough challenge versus the Commissioner’s Cup champs Aces.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, however, said it’s hard not to be awed by the Kings nowadays.

Later in the night, James Yap banged in a three-pointer then Mark Barroca pulled a steal and made two charities inside the last 25 seconds as San Mig Coffee tripped Globalport, 83-80, for its first back-to-back wins in the tourney.

 The Mixers drew even with the Alaska Milk Aces and the Meralco Bolts at 3-5 while stalling the Batang Pier at 4-4.

“On paper, I have to admit they are probably one of the strongest, if not the strongest,” said Trillo. “Players like (Japeth) Aguilar, (Emman) Monfort, (James) Forrester and, of course, (Greg) Slaughter have all together enhance the tough veterans that they already have.”

These guys have proved to be a potent mix, making a remarkable 6-1 (win-loss) showing in the first half of the elimination phase.

They have raised their goal, now focused in a bid to gain a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals as they start their drive in the final half of the elims against the Alaska Milk side that has been struggling with a 3-5 mark.

One big positive for the Aces is their morale-boosting win over the Meralco Bolts the last time out.

Playing with a sense of urgency, Alaska checked its skid as it trounced Meralco, 91-82, to improve to joint sixth place with the Bolts.

Dondon Hontiveros, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss put in tournament best of 24, 23 and 20 points, respectively, while Gabby Espinas got a career-high 23 rebounds for their third victory after an 84-80 decision over San Mig Coffee and a 97-91 overtime escape act versus Air21.

“But it doesn’t get easier for any team from here. We have Ginebra, San Mig Coffee and Talk n Text for our next three assignments,” said Trillo.

Trillo is hopeful their win over Meralco serves as a springboard that would help them versus the Kings.

“We’re settled today. We weren’t playing tight. The guys were at peace with themselves. Hopefully, they come out the same on Saturday,” Trillo said moments after their conquest of the Bolts.

On the same night, Greg Slaughter won his battle with Asi Taulava, Japeth Aguilar towered above everybody and Barangay Ginebra crushed Air21, 78-69, to stay right behind frontrunner Petron Blaze.

The Ginebra Twin Towers produced hulking numbers as they imposed their huge inside presence and led the Kings to a third straight win and sixth and seven games in all.

“At six-one halfway through the elims, we need to press on if we’re to gain the important twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

That’s a fair warning to the Aces.