Talk N’ Text obliterates Barako, advances to 2nd phase of quarterfinals

Matt Ganuela-Rosser of Talk N Text (light) vs Willie Wilson and JC Intal of Barako (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines–In a spectacle of different classes, the Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters demonstrated to the Barako Bull Energy that they are one of the league’s elite with a 105-76 drubbing during the first phase of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Friday evening.

It was still a contest in the second quarter with the scores tied at 29 but Matt Ganuelas-Rosser wanted a one-sided affair when he scored five points in a 12-0 run that put TnT up 41-29.

Texters head coach Jong Uichico said he didn’t want his players to get lax at the start and told them to take control of the game from the get-go.

“Sometimes it comes down to the mentality of the players that they don’t get relaxed,” Uichico said whose team was up by as big as 35, 101-66. “I was able to pump them up a bit.”

“The energy was a little bit low to start, but we managed to pick up in the second half.”

Ganuelas-Rosser led the Texters with 19 points and seven rebounds as his team advances to the second phase of the quarterfinals and would go up against the winner of the knockout game between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Globalport Batang Pier.

Texters guards Kevin Alas and Jayson Castro added 14 points apiece.

JC Intal and Willie Wilson led Barako with 16 and 15 points respectively but could not get much help from their teammates.

Box scores:
Talk N Text 105–Ganuelas-Rosser 19, Alas 14, Castro 14, Fonacier 11, Rob Reyes 10, Washington 9, De Ocampo 7, Seigle 5, Aban 5, Carey 4, Reyes 2, Espiritu 2, Alapag 0.

Barako Bull 76–Intal 16, Wilson 15, Miranda 9, Paredes 8, Marcelo 7, Lanete 7, Garcia 4, Salvador 4, Lastimosa 4, Matias 2, Holstein 0, Pascual 0.