Castro leads TnT past Barako

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 Friday night.

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

In their last game, Talk n Text recovered after squandering a 21-point spread, standing its ground in a battle at the finish and coming through with 90-87 a win over Rain or Shine.

The Texters did virtually the same trick as they handed the Energy Cola a 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-all.

“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 Pena, 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, Pena 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.