PBA: Castro carries Texters to first win

Jayson Castro carries the cudgels for the Texters. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Leaning on the heroics of Jayson Castro, Talk N’ Text eked out a gutsy 101-97 win over Mahindra for its first victory in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Castro lit up for the Tropang Texters as he finished with 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field that went with four rebounds.

Talk N’ Text also had better showing from its rookies, compared to their disastrous debut against Alaska a week ago.

Top rookie pick Mo Tautuaa finished with 12 points and six rebounds in his second game, while Troy Rosario also wound up with 12 markers and five boards against the team which picked him in the recent draft.

“We’re not where we should be. We’re still groping for our rotation, our defending. We’re still a long way,” said coach Jong Uichico.

The Tropang Texters played their first game without Ranidel de Ocampo, who is out for four to six weeks due to a herniated disc.

TNT went on a 13-2 tear midway in the fourth to turn a an 88-84 deficit to a 97-90 lead.

But Mahindra came crawling back with LA Revilla inching the Enforcers close as two, 99-97.

They had a chance to take the lead but Nino Canaleta misfired on a potential go-ahead trey with final 30 seconds before Jai Reyes iced the game at the free throw line.

Revilla paced Mahindra, which fell to its second defeat, with 21 points and nine rebounds while rookie Bradwyn Guinto got a double-double with 17 markers and 13 rebounds.

The Scores:

TNT 101 – Castro 28, Rosario 12, Tautuaa 12, Fonacier 11, J. Reyes 10, R. Reyes 10, Carey 6, Rosser 6, Miranda 3, Seigle 3, Aban 0.
MAHINDRA 97 – Revilla 21, Guinto 17, Ramos 13, Jaime 12, Hubalde 8, Pinto 8, Canaleta 7, Bagatsing 5, Yee 4, Webb 2, Alvarez 0, Laure 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 47-53, 73-76, 101-97.