MANILA, Philippines – Blistering the young ones to the ground, the Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters clobbered sister team NLEX Road Warriors, 103-81, during their PBA Philippine Cup matchup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Friday evening.
Talk N’ Text used a 36-point 3rd quarter, to build a 20-point road block for the Road Warriors.
Jayson Castro buried a three-pointer with less than four minutes in the third that ended a 10-0 run which gave the Texters a 67-47 lead.
NLEX’s drive in the second quarter, which put the scores at 39-34, immediately became futile as the Tropang Texters ran rampant in the second half.
“We’re trying to get things together as soon as we can,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico. “I’m still trying to adapt.”
“We’re just trying to finish that adjustment period as soon as possible.”
With the victory, Uichico and his wards spoiled Boyet Fernandez’s debut in the big leagues.
NLEX’s only relevant effort in the second half was dwindling the Talk N’ Text lead to 11, but Jay Washington and Larry Fonacier had other ideas.
Fonacier and Washington went on an 8-0 blast that extinguished the NLEX drive and put the Texters’ lead at 19, 93-74.
Washington and Kelly Williams had 19 and 18 points respectively to lead the 1-1 TNT.
Jonas Villanueva had 19 of his own to lead the Road Warriors.
The Scores:
Talk ‘N Text 103 – Washington 19, Williams 18, Castro15, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Carey 7, Fonacier 7, Ry. Reyes 5, Ro. Reyes 5, Alas 4, de Ocampo 4, Labagala 2, Seigle 2, Aban 2, Espiritu 0.
NLEX 81 – J. Villanueva 19, Ramos 14, Cardona 13, Taulava 12, E. Villanueva 10, Canaleta 5, Borboran 3, Baloria 3, Apinan 2, Raymundo 0, Camson 0, W. Arboleda 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 39-34, 75-55, 103-81.