Photo courtesy of PBA Media Bureau
JONG Uichico asked his TNT Tropang Texters a simple question at halftime and got an answer in kind in the final two quarters.
The Texters dropped 16 unanswered points late in the third period last night to rip Blackwater, 109-98, to get back in the thick of the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup fight at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“I just asked them why we couldn’t defend,” Uichico told scribes when asked of the night-and-day performances of his crew in the two halves. “I think they did a better job in defending. They (Elite) still scored 98 overall, but that is not indicative of the total (defensive) effort (of my players).”
Jason Castro scored 26 points and rookies Troy Rosario (17) and Moala Tautuaa (16) were two of four more Texters in twin digits as TNT rose to 4-2. Blackwater fell to 1-5.
In the nightcap, Barangay Ginebra extended its winning streak to three after taking down Globalport, 85-70.
The Gin Kings improved to 4-3 while dealing the Batang Pier a second straight defeat in a 3-3 record.
The scores:
First Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 109—Castro 26, Rosario 17, Fonacier 16, Tautuaa 16, Carey 11, Rosser 8, Williams 6, Miranda 3, Aban 2, J. Reyes 2, Seigle 2, R. Reyes 2.
BLACKWATER 98—Erram 18, Lastimosa 18, Dela Cruz 13, Cortez 11, Reyes 9, Ballesteros 8, Cervantes 8, Sena 7, Gamalinda 6, Canada 0, Vosotros 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 50-51, 78-68, 109-98
Second Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 85—Caguioa 22, Slaughter 22, Tenorio 18, Aguilar 8, Cruz 4, Devance 4, Ellis 4, Thompson 2, Helterbrand 1, Mercado 0, Salva 0.
GLOBALPORT 70—Washington 18, Pringle 13, Romeo 10, Yeo 8, Mamaril 5, Jensen 4, Kramer 4, Maierhofer 4, Paniamogan 2, Sumang 2, Pena 0, Semerad 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 36-41, 59-55, 85-70