Texters grab share of lead

JASON Castro (right) of Talk ‘N Text soars for two of his team-high 24 points against Meralco import Mohammad Jamshidi. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

UNDERMANNED and lacking some fight, TNT Ka-Tropa still managed to eke out a 98-95 victory over Meralco yesterday that put the Texters into a tie for the early elimination round lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With three energy guys still sidelined by various injuries, the Texters again rode Jason Castro’s brilliant all-around effort in outsteadying the Bolts for a 2-0 card and dealing sister team Meralco its first loss in three games.

Castro scored 24 points, had seven rebounds and five assists as the Texters got little from import Mario Little while continuing to play without defensive stalwarts Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams and rookie Troy Rosario.

“We miss the fighting attitude,” coach Jong Uichico told reporters while baring that Ganuelas-Rosser and Rosario, former Gilas Pilipinas members, could still be out for their next game, against Alaska.

Little had 14 points and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes for Uichico, numbers that surely need improvement.

Cliff Hodge scored 18 points and Jared Dillinger 15 for the Bolts, who couldn’t get Allen Durham to contribute even near his average of 34 points after playing with a face guard to protect an injured nose.

“He doesn’t seem to be very comfortable with it,” Meralco coach Norman Black said of Durham, who got an accidental elbow from Sonny Thoss in a win over Alaska last week.

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, barged into the win column later in the night after holding Phoenix Petroleum to 15 fourth quarter points in a runaway 106-89 victory.

Meanwhile, reigning two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and Alaska’s Calvin Abueva will lead the South and North teams, respectively, in the Annual All-Star Game slated next month.

Greg Slaughter of Barangay Ginebra joins Fajardo in forming a very tall South frontline, with James Yap and Joe Devance of Star and Ginebra rookie Scottie Thompson making up the rest of the starting unit.

Terrence Romeo joins Abueva in starting for the North, with Mark Caguioa, Japeth Aguilar and Mark Pingris the other starters.

The scores:

First Game

TNT KATROPA 98—Castro 24, Little 14, Madanly 14, Rosales 13, De Ocampo 9, Tautuaa 8, Reyes R. 6, Carey 5, Fonacier 5.

MERALCO 95—Hodge 18, Dillinger 15, Durham 14, Alapag 11, Jamshidi 10, Newsome 9, Hugnatan 8, Nabong 8, Buenafe 2, Caram 0, Faundo 0.

Quarters: 30-24, 50-52, 74-74, 98-95

Second Game

RAIN OR SHINE 106—Lowhorn 26, Quinahan 18, Norwood 14, Cruz 13, Lee 11, Ahanmisi 8, Matias 4, Tiu 3, Trollano 3, Almazan 2, Belga 2, Ponferada 2, Chan 0, Nimes 0.

PHOENIX 89—Torres 16, Caperal 12, Buenafe 10, Baguio 9, Wilson J. 8, Enciso 7, Hee 7, Simmons 7, Cruz 6, Lanete 4, Borboran 3, Miranda 0, Pennisi 0.

Quarters: 23-19, 47-44, 65-74, 106-89