Talk ‘N Text nips Alaska in OT anew in PBA Philippine Cup

Calvin Abueva of Alaska (light) vs Danny SIegle of TnT (dark). KC Cruz/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Kelly Williams scored 18 points to lead six Talk ‘N Text players in double-figures as the Tropang Texters slipped by the Alaska Aces anew in overtime, 121-117, in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Williams went eight-of-10 from the field and also grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the three-time defending PH Cup champions to their seventh win in 10 games – tying idle Rain or Shine in third place.

“A tough win, good win, a much-needed win. It helps us to gain momentum on our next game against Air21 and helps us to recover against our demoralizing loss to Petron in our last game,” said TNT head coach Norman Black, whose team also needed extra time to beat the Aces in their first meeting this conference last November.

“There are a lot of heroes tonight but I think the first guy I should mention is Kelly Williams. This is his best game of the conference. He really played with a lot of energy for 48 minutes in this game and he gave us a big lift in giving us a chance to win the basketball game,” Black said of his veteran forward.

Ryan Reyes added 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in just his second game this conference while Ranidel de Ocampo and Jayson Castro each had 16 points, highlighted by big plays down the stretch.

De Ocampo sank a 3-pointer – with the ball bouncing at the rim before going in – that stretched Talk ‘N Text’s advantage to four, 119-115, with only 25.1 seconds left.

Castro, who also dished out 10 assists, put TNT up, 107-106, before Aces center Sonny Thoss made an unmolested lay-in with 1.3 ticks left that forged extra session with both teams knotted at 108 after Larry Fonacier split his charities eight seconds earlier.

“The last time we played this team shows you the quality of this Alaska team; how good they are and how difficult it is to defeat them,” added Black.

Thoss led Alaska, which dropped to 4-7, with game-highs 30 points and 12 rebounds, including a put back off his own miss that trimmed the deficit to just two, 119-117, with 12.5 seconds to go.

Jimmy Alapag, who has yet to miss a free throw this conference after 27 attempts – going 36-of-36 dating back to last season – fittingly sank two insurance freebies with 11.2 ticks remaining to seal TNT’s win.

Fonacier chipped in 14 points while Sean Anthony had 13 points.

RJ Jazul and Gabby Espinas scored 18 points apiece for the Aces.

Calvin Abueva fouled out with 37.1 seconds left in regulation and finished with nine points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.