Gilas-less Texters zap Energy

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text, minus its Gilas Pilipinas stars, gutted it out to overcome a sluggish start, overhaul a 16-point deficit and withstand the fierce-fighting Barako Bull side, 118-113, in overtime in Day Two of the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Tropang Texters charged back from a 16-point third-quarter deficit on a dizzying 21-to-nothing run and outsteadied the Energy Cola in extra period to get off to a triumphant start in the season-ending tourney even without Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo and Harvey Carey.

“We’re missing a lot of players and I didn’t know what to expect going to this game,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“I thought it would be a defensive battle but it turned out to be a shootout. Credit goes to the players who are not part of the Philippine team,” added Black.

Tony Mitchell put in 48 points and 11 rebounds to mark his return as Talk n Text import while Sean Anthony logged 23 markers, eight boards, five steals and two assists to celebrate his first game as a Texter.

Ryan Reyes and another new TnT recruit Jai Reyes also rose to the occasion as the Texters outlasted a Barako Bull side that slowed down after import Michael Singletary sustained cramps in the crunch.

Singletary actually managed to buck cramps early on, driving through a phalanx of defenders to force overtime at 101.

The former Texas Tech hitman, however, had nothing more to give in the extra period, going scoreless after exploding for 26 points in the first half and adding 15 in the next two quarters.

Singletary had piled up double-double numbers with 26 points and 11 rebounds as Barako Bull took the half at 62-53.

Mitchell did better pacing his game, capping his performance with eight points and three rebounds in OT.

Largely behind the strong start of Singletary, the Energy Cola dominated the first three quarters of the game, leading by 16 at 70-54.

The Texters, however, got going towards the end of the third, coming through with a key run to pull ahead, 75-70, in the final period.

The two teams fought tooth and nail to the finish.

Meanwhile, title holder Rain or Shine goes for a second straight win in going up against Globalport today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo – the first of a series of Saturday double-headers slated in the tourney.

San Mig Coffee and Air21 clash in the day’s other game.

Despite just one practice session with Meralco, latecomer Mario West put up a good job and led the injury-riddled Bolts to an 89-83 win over the Petron Blaze Boosters in the nightcap.

“He just had one practice but the first thing he said when he came in was ‘coach, I can’t complain. I believe in situation where everybody works for the best,’” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.