PBA: Talk ‘N Text holds off GlobalPort

Tony Mitchell of Talk N Text (dark) vs Marvyn Hayes of Globalport (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text got back on track following a hard-fought 102-95 win over GlobalPort in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Import Tony Mitchell scored 35 points while Larry Fonacier had 19 points to help the Tropang Texters hold off a last-minute run by the Batang Pier, who pulled to within five in the final 40 seconds after trailing by 14.

“We still have a long way to go. We still have to get into our rhythm,” said national team mainstay Fonacier after the Texters evened their win-loss slate to 2-2.

“We’re not a very good team right now so I guess every game is going to be tough. Everything right now for us is a big struggle,” admitted TNT head coach Norman Black. “And hopefully we can start playing basketball the way Talk ‘N Text usually does.”

For the most part of the fourth quarter though, Talk ‘N Text showed flashes of what it’s capable of with a little more time together.

GlobalPort, which failed to grab a tie in second place and instead fell into a three-way logjam with Talk ‘N Text and Meralco with 2-2 records, refused to back down despite trailing majority of the game.

Back-to-back treys by Fonacier widened TNT’s gap to 14, 96-82, with 5:47 remaining before GlobalPort trimmed it to five, 100-95, on a basket by Gary David.

“At least our last two games our defense has been a little bit better.  It will be a big lift for us to get Jimmy (Alapag) back because he is the leader of this team,” added Black. “Right now, our goal is to stay in the top four. I thought Tony played a better game today. The locals played a lot better with him.”

Markeith Cummings unleashed 16 of his 33 points in the third quarter while David finished with 15 points.

TNT bounced back after absorbing losses to San Mig Coffee and Meralco.