Nuki Sabio/PBA |
By Josh Castro
QUEZON CITY--Talk 'n Text snapped Barako Bull's three-game winning streak with an 80-75 win at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters squandered a double-digit spread and had to go toe-to-toe with the Energy before handing the latter their first loss after scoring clutch triples.
Talk 'n Text led, 47-36, late in the second quarter, but Barako Bull fought back and even took the lead, 63-62, early in the fourth.
The Texters reclaimed the lead and extended it to four, 69-65, only to see the Energy score four straight to tie the match, 69-all, midway to the quarter.
Jayson Castro put TNT up, 72-69, with a three, and Larry Fonacier capped a 7-1 run with his own triple to stretch the lead to six, 76-70.
Barako converted on three free throws to close the gap to three, 73-76, with 2:19 remaining, but Castro sealed the TNT win with another trey to force a tie for third place.
Castro finished with 16 points, while Matt Rosser and Willie Miller each added 15 for the Tropang Texters.
Sol Alabi went 20-20 after collecting 21 points and 23 rebounds for the Energy, who failed to catch up with joint leaders Meralco Bolts and Purefoods Star Hotshots.
Box Scores:
Talk 'n Text 80–Castro 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Miller 15, De Ocampo 11, Howell 11, Fonacier 10, Alas 4, Washington 0, Carey 0, Reyes 0
Barako Bull 75–Alabi 21, Lastimosa 16, Pascual 12, Garcia 8, Intal 7, Lanete 5, Wilson 4, Marcelo 2, Chua 0, Salvador 0, Hubalde 0, Salva 0
Quarterscores: 25-19, 47-37, 62-59, 80-75