Rallying Texters humble Elite, Douthit

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 Biñan, Laguna last night.

Like in their 89-86 decision over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Wednesday, Howell struggled early 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 tied the Meralco Bolts at 2-0 (win-loss) while keeping the Elite winless through 13 games from the Philippine Cup.

Later in the night, Barako Bull also made it two in a row with a 69-68 nail-biter over Barangay Ginebra.

The Energy nearly bungled an eight-point spread in the last three minutes but put up a tough defensive stance at the finish, stopping the Kings’ last field-goal try to salvage a second consecutive victory following a 92-70 rout of Blackwater Wednesday.

From a six-point deficit with 1:26 left, the Kings threatened at 68-69 on a five-point binge by Joseph Yeo within six seconds.

Then the Kings got a chance to steal the game on a missed trey by Chico Lanete in the next play.

But Barako escaped with the win in the end as Yeo missed his own attempt from beyond the arc at the buzzer.

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 a 66-60 lead going to the final canto.

But Douthit and his teammates sputtered 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.