Texters turn back Elite

JAPETH Aguilar (right) hopes to lead Ginebra to victory today. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

BIÑAN, Laguna—Jason Castro turned in a superlative offensive effort for the second straight night for Talk ‘N Text, which tripped Blackwater, 90-80, in a Petron Saturday Special game of the PBA Philippine Cup at Alonte Sports Arena here.

The fleet-footed national team point guard scattered 21 points last night, leading the Tropang Texters to their sixth victory in nine games that kept them in the running for a top two finish and an automatic Final Four berth.

Talk ‘N Text shook off a rusty start that had the Elite taking the first quarter, opening up a 46-32 lead at the half before keeping Blackwater at bay the rest of the way. The rookie squad tumbled to its 10th straight defeat.

Brian Faundo shot 22 points and Bam-Bam Gamalinda 17 for the Elite.

There are only three teams that are better than the Texters in the standings—co-leaders Alaska and San Miguel Beer, which have 8-1 slates, and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 6-2.

Defending champion Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra are at 5-3 and could catch the Texters with victories tonight against separate foes at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Star Hotshots slug it out with the Elasto Painters in the 5:15 p.m. contest, while the crowd-darling Gin Kings mix it up with Globalport at 3 p.m. where Eric Gonzales calls the shots for the Batang Pier for the first time in place of Pido Jarencio.

Meanwhile, PBA great Samboy Lim continued to be in a coma, more than a day after collapsing in an exhibition game with the Legends squad at Ynares Arena in Pasig City on Friday night.

Family members of the former Letran great in the NCAA and national team mainstay are asking his fans for continued prayers.

“Medical City hospital will be releasing a statement soon in response to all the inquiries. To all of Samboy’s friends and loving fans, please continue to pray for him. We need more prayers,” said Coy Lim, an elder sister of the cage great, in her Facebook account.

“Samboy is fighting for his life. We need to tell the Lord that Sam is still needed here on earth.”

Lim collapsed on the bench on Friday night after playing close to seven minutes, even doing some stretching after being pulled out by coach Bogs Adornado.

Samboy is one of the fittest retired PBA players, that’s why his collapse came as a surprise to many.

The scores:

TALK ‘N TEXT 90—Castro 21, Reyes Rob 10, Washington 9, Alas 9, Aban 9, Alapag 8, Seigle 7, Carey 6, Fonacier 4, Rosser 4, De Ocampo 3, Aguilar 0, Reyes Ryan 0, Espiritu 0.

BLACKWATER 80—Faundo 22, Gamalinda 17, Celiz 14, Laure 8, Heruela 7, Timberlake 5, Tiongson 3, Erram 2, Menor 2, Nuyles 0, Artadi 0, Ballesteros 0, Austria 0, Salvacion 0.

Quarters: 16-17, 46-32, 66-57, 90-80