Talk N’ Text loses lead, hangs on to beat Barako Bull in OT

Kelly Williams of TNT (light) vs Mark Isip of Barako Bull (dark). PBA IMAGE by KC Cruz

MANILA, Philippines — Talk N’ Text squandered a huge lead but hung tough in overtime for an 87-80 win over Barako Bull Friday in the 2013 PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jayson Castro came through in the fourth quarter and overtime  for the Texters, who struggled to bust the Energy’s zone defense which spelled trouble in the second half.

“I don’t think we found a solution to the zone defense. We struggled, our problem was our inability to make outside shots,” admitted head coach Norman Black.

From a lead as high as 23 points in the first half, Talk N’ Text was reduced to protecting a measly lead and needed to provide an answer for every Barako Bull bucket in the last three minutes.

Larry Fonaciers’ running jumper and a triple in the ensuing possession made sure the Texters were still in the lead, 69-64, as an 11-to-nothing run by the Energy slashed through their double digit lead.

But after Willie Millers’ triple from the left corner with 29 seconds left, made possible by Dorian Peña’s rebounding effort, the game was tied at 71 at the end of regulation.

The Texters had a shot at the game-winner, but Jai Reyes bungled a three-pointer with 7.4 seconds left and Castro’s attempt at the final possession was blocked.

But Castro provided the goods in OT, sandwiched between shot clock-beating shots from big men Danny Seigle and Ranidel De Ocampo as they continued to struggle in breaking Energy’s defense.

Castro gave Talk N’ Tex an 78-74 lead before De Ocampo’s basket, but a back-to-back triples from Mick Pennisi tied the game anew at 80 with 1:29 in OT.

De Ocampo found his mark from top-of-the-key and gave the Texters the lead for good. Freethrows from Noy Baclao and Castro sealed the win.

“I consider that something we need to fix, but a win is a win and I’ll take it,” Black said as the Texters improved to 5-2. “Luckily Castro came through in 4th and OT, and made big shots.’’

The Smart Gilas Pilipinas standout, who was also in the Mythical five in the Fiba Asia Championship, led with 23 points including six rebounds and nine assists.

Miller, meanwhile, led the skidding Barako Bull with 16 points and 10 rebounds but just couldn’t help the Energy close out as he botched three attempts from the striple which could’ve knotted the game at 83.

The Energy reeled to their sixth straight setback for a 2-6 record.