Llamados halt TNT Texters; Kings rout Express, log 5th win
MANILA—Dismissed because of its decimated roster, B-Meg Derby Ace brought life back to its flat-lining title-retention campaignFriday night with a 104-97 thumping of Talk ‘N Text in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Llamados’ backcourt outplayed their Tropang Texters counterparts in the final period, while their big men proved up to the task as B-Meg picked up only its second victory in seven games.
Reigning MVP James Yap, Peter June Simon and Jerwin Gaco dished out conference-high outputs as the Llamados climbed out of a 16-point hole in the second quarter to avenge a 76-87 loss to the Tropang Texters last Oct. 6.
Yap scored a layup off Kelly Williams, before passing off to a wide-open Jonas Villanueva, who hit a long jumper that iced the victory, 102-97, with 25 seconds left.
“With this lineup, we must play 48 minutes of aggressive basketball,” said Derby Ace head coach Jorge Gallent. “Otherwise, the other teams will eat us.”
Down 22-38 after a lethargic start turned the game around by unleashing 32-15 windup to seize a one-point lead at halftime.
Barangay Ginebra later caught up with Talk ‘N Text after a 107-81 rout of Air21 in the second game.
Six players scored in double figures for the Kings, who had the game pretty much wrapped up in the second period.
The Express fell to 3-4.
The scores:
First Game
B-MEG DERBY ACE 104—J. Yap 24, Simon 23, Villanueva 17, Gaco 12, Maierhofer 8, R. Yap 8, Salvador 6, Allado 4, Adducul 2, Acuna 0, Canaleta 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 97—Williams 22, Alapag 18, Carey 15, Dillinger 12, Castro 12, Fonacier 9, Reyes 5, Aban 4, Yee 0, Lao 0, Peek 0.
Quarters: 18-30, 54-53, 78-76, 104-97
Second Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 107—Tubid 16, Miller 13, Villanueva 12, Caguioa 12, Helterbrand 12, Wilson 10, Aquino 9, Cortez 8, Hatfield 8, De Ocampo 5, Mamaril 2, Cruz 0.
AIR21 81—Al Hussaini 17, Sharma 16, Urbiztondo 15, Quinahan 12, Gonzales 8, Buenafe 6, Baclao 4, Matias 2, Najorda 2, Guevarra 0, Arboleda 0.
Quarters: 25-17, 52-31, 80-51, 107-81
First Game
B-MEG DERBY ACE 104—J. Yap 24, Simon 23, Villanueva 17, Gaco 12, Maierhofer 8, R. Yap 8, Salvador 6, Allado 4, Adducul 2, Acuna 0, Canaleta 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 97—Williams 22, Alapag 18, Carey 15, Dillinger 12, Castro 12, Fonacier 9, Reyes 5, Aban 4, Yee 0, Lao 0, Peek 0.
Quarters: 18-30, 54-53, 78-76, 104-97
Second Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 107—Tubid 16, Miller 13, Villanueva 12, Caguioa 12, Helterbrand 12, Wilson 10, Aquino 9, Cortez 8, Hatfield 8, De Ocampo 5, Mamaril 2, Cruz 0.
AIR21 81—Al Hussaini 17, Sharma 16, Urbiztondo 15, Quinahan 12, Gonzales 8, Buenafe 6, Baclao 4, Matias 2, Najorda 2, Guevarra 0, Arboleda 0.
Quarters: 25-17, 52-31, 80-51, 107-81
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