Tropang Texters clobber Express

TALK ‘N TEXT spitfire Jason Castro opts to pass under pressure from EJ Camson of Air21 in the third quarter of last night’s game at Mall of Asia Arena. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Jason Castro scored 21 points and Ranidel De Ocampo sustained his return to form with 18 as Talk ‘N Text tripped Air21, 87-82, to keep the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup leaders within reach at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Tropang Texters played commandingly all-game even with former MVP Jimmy Alapag sitting out a second straight game.

It was the fourth straight win in a 6-2 card for the Texters, who are now just a full game behind joint leaders Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra, who will collide on Wednesday for the solo lead.

The loser will thus fall into a tie with Talk ‘N Text, which can go for at least the second twice-to-beat privilege later on in the round since it still play the Boosters and the Gin Kings.

“We survived our hell week,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black told reporters after their third game in the last seven days. “I was really concerned about our ability to finish (and win) three games.

“This win is important for us because the top two teams (Petron and Ginebra) are pulling away and if we don’t continue winning, we won’t be able to catch up,” added the Grand Slam-winning coach.

Larry Fonacier was the fourth man in twin digits for Black with 13. He also completed a double-double by grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.

Earlier, Barako Bull snapped out of a six-game spell and won for the first time in close to a month, shooting down Meralco, 99-86, with Denok Miranda leading six others in twin digits with 17 points.

Gary David and Mike Cortez each scored 20 for the Bolts, who dropped into a tie with the Energy and idle Alaska for seventh spot at 3-6.

Air21, which was only able to tug at the coattails of the Texters in the first quarter, slumped to their eighth loss against just one win, the prospects of advancing past this round looking bleaker by the day.

Asi Taulava paced the Express with 23 points that went with 11 rebounds and two blocks. Joseph Yeo shot 13 to go with five assists.

Black said Alapag and the oft-injured Ryan Reyes will be back in the lineup next week, marking the first time this season that the Texters will be playing a game in full strength.

The scores:

First Game

BARAKO BULL 99—Miranda 17, Miller 14, Pennisi 14, Macapagal 11, Intal 11, Maierhofer 10, Pena 10, Lastimosa 4, Jensen 3, Buenafe 3, Wilson 2, Marcelo 0

MERALCO 86—David 20, Cortez 20, Al-Hussaini 19, Wilson 14, Hugnatan 5, Dillinger 4, Omolon 2, Guevarra 1, Hodge 1, Timberlake 0, Sena 0