Texters outgun Energy, win by a mile

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text blasted Barako Bull with a heads-up performance coming from an upset loss, fashioning out a dominant 122-106 win to stay right behind the leaders nearing the homestretch of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination stage at the Alonte Sports Center in Biñan, Laguna last night.

Four days after being jolted by the Globalport Batang Pier, 97-105, the Tropang Texters came back with an amazing stand on both ends of the court, chalking up a fifth win against three losses.

Averaging only 91.8 points game, the Tropang Texters put in almost half of their norm just in the opening quarter in an explosive start leading to a league season-high output marked by a whopping 18-of-38 three-pointers.

“Everything started on our defense. Coach Jong (Uichico) instilled in our minds we have to play defense,” said Jason Castro, a lead light for Talk n Text in this game, firing four triples and a game-high 26 points.

Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo and Aaron Aban delivered double-digit outputs in relief jobs as Talk n Text utterly outclassed Barako Bull, handing the Energy a sixth loss in eight games.

Alapag also tossed in four treys and finished with 14 markers, four assists and two steals while Fonacier, De Ocampo and Aban combined for five three-pointers and a total of 36 points.

In their strongest start in a game this season, the Texters pummeled the Energy, 40-20, in the opening canto and were hardly threatened the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Yousef Taha matched a career-high 14 points, converting three big baskets in a decisive endgame run that propelled Purefoods Star to a 77-74 win over Meralco.

Taha, a three-year pro from Mapua Tech, also came up with crucial stops and rebounds, taking the spotlight as the Hotshots jumped two rungs up to sixth place with a 4-3 win-loss card.

Taha and his teammates overcame a dry spell in the third quarter and relegated the Bolts to seventh place in a tie with the Globalport Batang Pier at 4-4.