PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Jimmy Alapag came through in clutch as Talk N’ Text withstood a late San Miguel run for a 107-99 victory Friday night in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Texters saw their 16-point lead midway the fourth dwindle down to four, 93-97, with barely a minute-and-a-half to play but skipper Alapag, as he has done countless times before, came to their rescue.
Alapag, who scored all of his 18 points from either the freethrow or three-point area, drilled in a three in the ensuing play then fished a foul from way out and knocked down two of the three freebies for a 102-90 cushion.
“I want to thank the coaching staff and the players for coming through in clutch,” said head coach Norman Black, who spent the fourth quarter in the locker room after being sent off with two technical fouls.
Earlier, it was an explosion from import Richard Howell resulting in a 13-0 blast that gave Talk N’ Text a 92-76 lead with 6:44 to play.
“Richard Howell delivered the goods for us,” Black said of his import who finished with a monster stat line of 38 points and 20 rebounds.
But the Beermen, who trailed by as many as 19 in the first half, refused to let go of the game as Marcio Lassiter sparked an 8-0 run which they sustained to pull within four.
Alapag, though, got in San Miguel’s way as the Texters claimed the solo lead with a 3-0 record. The Beermen absorbed their first loss for a 2-1 record.
“It’s a big win for us because we know how good and strong they are,” Black said.
Kevin Jones, who played his first game after replacing Josh Boone, had 35 points and 13 rebounds while Paolo Hubalde and Lassiter combined for 16 points.