Castro, Alapag deliver in clutch as Texters escape Aces

Sean Anthony of Talk N Text (light) vs Calvin Abueva of Alaska (dark). Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro took care of the big shots in overtime and Talk N’ Text escaped Alaska, 114-111, Thursday in the 2013 PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

Castro etched a new career-best of 33 points and made sure the Aces didn’t pull away with two minutes to play in overtime, connecting on a nifty drive to tie the game at 108.

Alapag, who earlier made three freethrows to make it 106-all, then unloaded a booming triple to give the Texters the lead for good with over a minute left.

Chances for the Aces to claw back from a tight hole were aplenty from there, but Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros and JVee Castro all misfired on attempts to knot the game.

“We know the game was going to be tough against Alaska. It was one of those games where you have to gut it out. I’m happy for my guys, they didn’t give up,” said Texters’ coach Norman Black.

The victory was the second for the once mighty Texters, who have been saddled with injuries since the start of the conference.

“We’re trying to get our rhythm back. We have injuries within our team that’s hurting us. We’ll just take this victory tonight and enjoy it,” Black added.

Alapag had 20 for the Talk N’ Text, while Larry Fonacier and Harvey Carey contributed 18 and 15 points, each. Kelly Williams had seven points and 11 boards.

The Texters recovered from a loss to Barako last Sunday.

The bounce back win for the Aces was well within their reach, too, at one point, with Hontiveros knocking down a clutch triple to pull the Aces, 111-112.

But Baguio forced the issue in Alaska’s ensuing possession, before Hontiveros missed two precious freethrows while the Texters split their freebies.

Alaska had one last chance to send the game into second OT with 5.1 seconds left but Casio’s final attempt just grazed the rim.

Aldrech Ramos led with 20 markers, but was scoreless in the extra period. Sonny Thoss added 16, Hontiveros, 15, Calvin Abueva 14.