Castro, top rookies lift TNT past Mahindra

MANILA, Philippines -- Talk n Text rookies Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario stepped up in the absence of Ranidel de Ocampo as the Tropang Texters survived a big scare from Mahindra Enforcers to eke out a 101-97 victory in the first of the Halloween double-header in the 2015 Smart Bro Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jayson Castro fired a team-high 28 points but it was Tautuaa and Rosario, who provided a great lift, finishing with identical 12 points to help TnT to its first win.

After a disappointing debut, Tautuaa had an energetic start hitting seven of his total in the first quarter and delivered several highlight reels for the Tropang Texters which seized the initial advantage, 24-19. Rosario, for his part, pumped in 10 in the second half including a key basket down the stretch, giving TnT enough cushion to fend off Mahindra's last-ditch rally. 

Mahindra, meanwhile, drawing also a big game from their own rookie big man Bradwyn Guinto fought Talk n Text toe-to-toe and even led in the fourth quarter. TnT, however, recovered in time and unleased a 13-2 run that had them take the lead, 97-90. Guinto finished with a double-double of 17 points, including 12 in the first half, and hauled down 13 rebounds plus three shot blocks.  But those numbers along with LA Revilla's 21 points and nine boards, went for naught. 

The Enforcers did not go down without a fight though.  

Revilla completed a three-point play that pushed Mahindra within two, 99-97, with under a minute left. Talk n Text had to lean on its defense to pull through as KG Canaleta flubbed a trey with the shotclock winding down to escape with the victory. 

Back-up guard Jai Reyes iced the game with two free throws.  He was one of the six TnT players in double figures with 10 to overcome the absence of De Ocampo, who will be out for at least six weeks after being diagnosed with a herniated disc.