Howell, Castro lift Texters to 2nd straight win

MANILA, Philippines -- Richard Howell again saved his best for last, pouring 19 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter as Talk n Text came from behind to top Blackwater and new import Marcus Douthit, 88-78, for a second straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna Sunday night.

As in their 89-86 decision over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Wednesday, Howell struggled early on but delivered when it mattered most as the Tropang Texters overcame a six-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and won with plenty to spare.

Jayson Castro came through with a solid 22-point backup job as the Texters caught up with the Meralco Bolts at 2-0 (win-loss) while keeping the Elite winless through 13 games from the Philippine Cup.

The Elite, getting some lift from Douthit, had appeared on the way to nailing a breakthrough win in the pro league as they made a big push in the third quarter to seize 66-60 lead going to the final canto.

Alas, Douthit and his teammates hit the wall in the payoff period, going scoreless for about four minutes from a 71-all count and found themselves trailing by 13, 71-84, with 4:15 left to play.

Howell made a three-point play to shatter the 71-all count and roared on to personally foil Blackwater’s upset bid.

The reigning Commissioner’s Cup Best Import scored 17 in the decisive 24-5 attack that turned their six-point deficit to a 13-point spread entering the last four minutes of the game.

Howell went away with a big 20-20 performance as he also snared 21 rebounds.

Douthit tossed in 14 points in his first game since Gilas Pilipinas’ Asian Games debacle in Incheon, Korea last year.

For the second straight game, Bryan Faundo topscored for Blackwater with 19. The former Letran Knight paced the Elite with 16 points against Barako Bull Wednesday.