Texters trip Energy in OT; Alaska keeps PBA team despite firm’s stock sale

INQUIRER Photo/ August dela Cruz

MANILA, Philippines—Talk ‘N Text blew a 16-point third-quarter lead and needed overtime to hammer out a 113-106 victory over Barako Bull at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night as the defending champion Tropang Texters crept closer to a playoff berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Ryan Reyes delivered on both ends in the waning minutes of overtime as the Texters rose to 4-1 while dusting off an upset loss to Air21 two nights ago.

“He is way off any kind of basketball shape,” coach Chot Reyes said of Ryan Reyes, who has been in and out of the injured list. “But tonight, he came up big for us.”

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, moments before tip-off of the Aces’ game versus the Express, told the Inquirer that he had “sold a chunk of (the Alaska company) but will remain in the PBA.”

Dutch dairy firm Royal Friesland Campina bought the shares of the Uytengsu family yesterday, increasing its stake in the Alaska Milk Corp. to 68.9 percent. Uytengsu will continue to call the shots in the company as president and chief executive officer.

“We will continue to win with honor,” Uytengsu replied to the Inquirer’s question on whether he would keep the team or not.

The Aces, though, were the second heavyweights brought down by the Express after Marcus Douthit scored 23 points, grabbed 25 rebounds and had four blocks in a dramatic 88-85 decision.

Air21, which chopped down the Texters on Wednesday, rose to 3-2 overall with its second straight victory while the Aces dropped to a level 3-3 card.

Reyes finished with nine points, all of them coming from beyond the arc. He hit his last two with 69 seconds left, breaking a 106-all tie.

The first of those triples came after Reyes broke up a potential go-ahead play by picking the pocket of a driving Willie Miller. The last Reyes triple came with 31.5 seconds left for 112-106.
Meanwhile, the elimination round goes on the road again today as Phoenix Fuel presents the Petron Blaze vs Powerade contest in Legazpi City.
NOTES: Eugene Tejada, the former Purefoods player who suffered a severe spinal injury several years back, came to see the games last night and was greeted by players from both sides. Tejada, who was left paralyzed from the neck down by the fall, arrived together with Jimmy Alapag’s wife, LJ Moreno. He walked aided by crutches.

The scores:
First Game
TALK N’ TEXT 113—Alapag 27, Harvey 26, Fonacier 17, De Ocampo 14, Dillinger 9, Reyes 9, Gamalinda 4, Williams 3, Raymundo 2, Carey 2.
BARAKO 106—White 42, Miller 20, Seigle 10, Tubid 9, Weinstein 6, Arboleda 5, Najorda 4, Allado 4, Pennisi 3, Lanete 2, Aquino 1, Pena 0.
Quarters: 26-18, 52-40, 76-74, 102-102, 113-106
Second Game
AIR21 88—Douthit 23, Omolon 14, Duncil 13, Sena 10, Jazul 10, Sison 4, Isip 4, Hubalde 4, Ritualo 4, Escobal 2, Mirza 0, Aquino 0.
ALASKA 85—Parada 26, Baguio 16, Salamat 9, Tenorio 8, Thoss 8, Baracael 7, Reyes 4, Custodio 3, Eman 2, Gonzales 2, Gelig 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 35-32, 62-53, 88-85