MATT Ganuelas-Rosser (left) and Larry Fonacier of Talk ‘N Text gang up on LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
WHAT championship hangover?
Less than two weeks after winning a rugged title series, Talk ‘N Text showed that it was up to the next task at hand last night by opening its PBA Governors’ Cup bid in style with a 95-91 win over Barangay Ginebra at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Undermanned and all, the Tropang Texters took advantage of a crucial Ginebra scoring drought in the fourth period and used a formidable lead as buffer to hold off the Gin Kings, who took a second straight loss.
Ginebra, which also played without three vital cogs, went scoreless for close to six minutes and trailed 94-84 with 87 seconds left from 84-83.
Steffphon Pettigrew tossed in 33 points and had 12 rebounds, spearheading the Texters to the debut they needed in their search for a second straight title after ruling the Commissioner’s Cup over Rain or Shine just last April 29.
“Our confidence was high, coming off a championship, and we didn’t have a championship hangover or whatever you (media) call it,” said coach Jong Uichico, who praised his wards for playing extra hard.
The Texters coped well with the absence of Jason Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, Kevin Alas and defensive man Aaron Aban as three others tossed in 12 points or more to complete a balanced Talk ‘N Text offensive.
Orlando Johnson scored 46 points to pace the Kings. He scored his last basket with 7:01 to go that gave the Kings that one-point advantage before failing to find the mark the rest of the way and fail to help his side.
Uichico also acknowledged that the absence of the 7-foot Greg Slaughter for Ginebra was a big plus for them. “He (Slaughter) was one less worry for us.”
Uichico also did not have to worry about Ginebra’s Mongolian import, Sanchir Tungalag, who didn’t see a single minute of action.
Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis were also out because of different injuries for the Kings, who dropped to the cellar with a 0-2 record like San Miguel Beer.
Earlier, Barako Bull roared to its second straight win after taking Blackwater apart, 105-90 with the 7-foot Liam McMorrow shooting 23 points that went with 15 rebounds, three steals and the same number of blocks.
The Energy held the Elite to 11 first quarter points and went on to lead by as large as 27 late in the fourth period that dropped Blackwater to the cellar with a 0-3 card.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO 105—McMorrow 23, Lastimosa 18, Intal 17, Yeo 8, Maierhofer 7, Hubalde 6, Garcia 4, Pascual 4, Lanete 4, Wilson 4, Sorongon 4, Ababou 3, Chua 2, Forrester 1, Salva 0.
BLACKWATER 90—Douthit 21, Erram 12, Heruela 12, Gamalinda 12, Cervantes 9, Salvacion 9, Ballesteros 4, Celiz 3, Bulawan 3, Acuna 3, Reyes 2, Laure 0.
Quarters: 32-11, 55-42, 87-65, 105-90
Second Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 95—Pettigrew 33, Seigle 14, Rosser 13, Daghles 12, Washington 7, Fonacier 6, Carey 5, Miller 5, Williams 0.
GINEBRA 91—Johnson 46, Mercado 13, Tenorio 10, Caguioa 6, Urbiztondo 5, Marcelo 4, Brondial 4, Baracael 3, Pena 0, Helterbrand 0.
Quarters: 27-22, 53-48, 72-71, 95-91