Kelly Williams of Talk N Text (dark) vs Arwind Santos of Petron (light). Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines – Petron Blaze raced to an early lead and never let up en route to a 77-63 win over defending champion Talk ‘N Text in the 2014 PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reigning MVP Arwind Santos showed the way with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds on top of three blocks for the Boosters, who improved to 2-0 with both wins in dominant fashion.
“Were really happy about the effort we gave tonight although we were kind of shorthanded,” said Petron Blaze head coach Gee Abanilla, whose team still won handily despite the absence of starting playmaker Alex Cabagnot and backup big man Yousef Taha due to injuries.
Petron, which also had four other players in double-digit scoring, shot 53% in the first half and led, 55-32, entering the third quarter.
The Tropang Texters showed signs of life early in the final frame before the Boosters put the game away behind their solid defense anchored by Santos.
Marcio Lassiter added 13 points and eight rebounds, Chris lutz displayed an all-around game with 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists while six-foot-10 Junemar Fajardo had 10 points and 12 boards in another team showing by Petron.
Jayson Castro led TNT, which dropped to 1-1, with 15 points.