Alaska big man Gabby Espinas (right) drives against Globalport import Evan Brock. EDWIN BELLOSILLO
MANILA, Philippines — Import Richard Howell struck twice inside the final two minutes and helped Talk ‘N Text rise to 2-0 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 95-91 decision of Air21 Saturday night at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Howell finished with 29 points and Jason Castro did a lot of damage on the Express in the first three periods to collect 22 as the Tropang Texters scored a follow-up to a thorough drubbing of Alaska while dropping Air21 to 1-1.
“It’s important that we get a good start because we consider this as a ‘sprint’ tournament,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said. “We want to win as many games as possible and not play catch-up [later in the elimination round].”
In the first game, Robert Dozier outplayed the entire Globalport squad in the fourth quarter and led Alaska to a 93-77 decision of the Batang Pier, who took a second straight loss.
Dozier scored the first 12 points in the fourth period and Alaska held Globalport scoreless for close to seven minutes as the Aces easily wiped out a 65-67 deficit to break away and rise to 1-1.
The winner of the Best Import award last season, Dozier scored 25 points that went with 15 rebounds.
RJ Jazul and Gabby Espinas added 18 points each coming off the bench for Alaska, while Evan Brock paced the Batang Pier with 21 points and 11 boards.
Meanwhile, sister squads Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer clash today to stay unbeaten even as Rain or Shine debuts opposite Barako Bull in an interesting double-header at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings, who scored a come-from-behind overtime win over the Energy on Friday, and the Beermen, unrelenting in a 94-76 wrecking of Meralco on the same night, slug it out in the 5:15 p.m. game.
Josh Boone, a National Basketball Association veteran, will play possibly his last game with the Beermen even as Leon Rodgers spearheads the Kings. Kevin Jones, an NBA
D-League vet, will replace Boone.
After finishing second to San Mig Coffee in the Philippine Cup, the Elasto Painters return to action at 3 o’clock and will try to shake the cobwebs off a 2-4 series loss and gain a decent debut in the import-spiced conference.
Alexander McClean will reinforce the Painters, finalists in the last two conferences who will try to contain Brian Butch and the Bolts.
The scores:
First Game
ALASKA 93—Dozier 25, Jazul 18, Espinas 18, Casio 11, Baguio 7, Thoss 6, Hontiveros 4, Dela Cruz 2, Abueva 2.
GLOBALPORT 77—Brock 21, Washington 14, Cabagnot 12, Romeo 11, Macapagal 8, Chua 5, Yee 3, Garcia 3, Nabong 0, Hayes 0, Salva 0, Salvador 0, Custodio 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 42-39, 65-67, 93-77
TALK ‘N TEXT 95—Howell 29, Castro 22, Alapag 14, De Ocampo 12, Carey 8, Williams 4, Reyes Ry. 3, Canaleta 2, Fonacier 1, Reyes Ro. 0, Aban 0, Baclao 0.
AIR21 91—Taulava 23, Lamizana 18, Borboran 10, Atkins 10, Yeo 9, Villanueva 7, Cardona 6, Manuel 4, Matias 2, Camson 2, Poligrates 0, Burtscher 0, Sharma 0.
Quarters: 27-20, 43-38, 66-62, 95-91