Tough D gives TnT lopsided win

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

2:45 p.m. – Barako Bull vs San Miguel Beer

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs San Mig Coffee

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten league leader Talk n Text imposed its defensive plan in the second quarter then dominated Meralco in the final half as the Tropang Texters ran away with a 91-68 rout of the Bolts for their fifth straight win in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

The Texters held Meralco import Brian Butch to just 16 points in the contest and the Bolts to less than 20 in each of the last three quarters in a sterling defensive job that gave Talk n Text its first-ever 5-0 start in an import-laced tourney.

The Bolts fell down to 2-3 after being held to their worst output ever in an import-reinforced conference.

With their defense holding, the Texters seized control in the second period and went on to carve out the biggest rout in the mid-season tourney thus far.

Prior to this game, the biggest victories in the tourney were fashioned out by San Miguel Beer over Meralco (94-76) and by Air21 over Barako Bull (103-85).

“It’s really a good example of a very good defensive effort in our part,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“Our defensive game plan was complicated because of the talent of Butch. We had to change our game plan and I think we did a good job,” Black pointed out.

Richard Howell scored only 13 points on 6-of-17 field shooting but made a big impact in defensive, coming through with 22 rebounds.

The Talk n Text gunners, meanwhile, did their job with Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier and KG Canaleta combining for 8-of-15 three-pointers.

Black made special mention of De Ocampo for a splendid effort on both ends of the floor.

Amidst talks of his possible ouster, Leon Rodgers stayed focused on his job, delivering 33 points as Barangay Ginebra checked a two-game skid with a 113-107 drubbing of Globalport in the nightcap.

“The guys were talking to one another on the floor, and everybody contributed. They really wanted to win,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

“By the stats, we had a good team effort with lots of balance offensively. Ranidel established our defensive presence in the first half. That set the tone of the match,” said Black.

De Ocampo and Kelly Williams took turns defending Butch.

De Ocampo was all over Butch, holding the Meralco import scoreless as the Texters made a decisive run in the second quarter to open a 43-33 lead at the turn.

Talk n Text made it 68-49 at the end of the third, and left nothing to chance by keeping a lockdown defense on Butch.

Also kept in check was Gary David who made only eight points on 3-of-11 field shooting.

“We’re not shooting well but we’re winning on defense. It’s a lot different from last conference where our defense was suspect,” said Black.

Meanwhile, Philippine Cup title protagonists San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine meet in their Commissioner’s Cup elims matchup today with the Mixers out to keep their mastery of the E-Painters after their 4-1 conquest of their all-Filipino titular duel.

San Miguel Beer and Barako Bull clash in the 2:45 p.m. curtain-raiser in this Petron Blaze-sponsored Saturday special.

“We could call this ‘Gunning for us Part 2,’” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone. “In our last game, we knew Ginebra would come gunning for us, and we know RoS will be doing the same.”

The scores:

First Game:

Talk N Text 91 – De Ocampo 15, Castro 14, Fonacier 14, Howell 13, Carey 11, Canaleta 9, Williams 7, Salamat 2, Baclao 2, Alapag 2, Reyes Ro. 1, Reyes Ry. 1, Aban 0, Reyes J. 0.

Meralco 68 – Butch 16, Wilson 11, David 8, Caram 5, Hugnatan 5, Mandani 5, Ildefonso 4, Hodge 4, Salvacion 3, Dillinger 3, Al-Hussaini 2, Guevarra 2, Bringas 0.

Quarterscores: 28-24, 43-33, 68-49, 91-68

Second Game

GINEBRA 113 - Rodgers 33, Caguioa 15, Helterbrand 14, Tenorio 11, Aguilar 10, Baracael 9, Mamaril 7, Ellis 6, Slaughter 5, Urbiztondo 2, Reyes 1.

GLOBALPORT 107 - Brock 36, Cabagnot 16, Macapagal 14, Matias 10, Romeo 10, Washington 7, Nabong 4, Ponferrada 4, Chua 2, Garcia 2, Custodio 2, Salva 0, Salvador 0.

Quarterscores: 25-28, 53-52, 87-78, 113-107