Talk N Text, Rain or Shine rip Govs Cup foes
MANILA—Talk N’ Text pounded Alaska from the opening horn for a 101-75 victory in its PBA Governors’ Cup debut to get its Grand Slam wheels rolling at high speed last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
A brief post-game, argument between coach Chot Reyes and Alaska mentor Tim Cone marred the ending after the Tropang Texters attempted to run up the score.
“I apologize, but unfortunately, the format calls for putting points on the board,” Reyes said. “I know it’s not ethical, but we have to play within the format. We (coaches) have an unwritten understanding. But we had to get every point possible.”
The Texters opened up with a 17-0 tear and never looked back.
Article continues after this advertisementJimmy Alapag will be doubtful for the Texters in their next game after the 5-foot-8 spitfire twisted his right ankle in the third quarter.
Alapag’s absence was hardly felt as Talk ’N Text completely overshadowed Rain or Shine’s 116-94 victory over Air21 earlier.
The Painters blew a 14-point lead in the second quarter to trail, 34-41, after the Express dropped a 21-0 bomb, before regrouping in time to zoom to the top of the standings.
Article continues after this advertisementThat Air21 run tied the fifth longest scoring burst in league history, but it went for naught as the Express eventually trailed by 23, 115-92, late in the game after a triple by Rain or Shine’s Josh Vanlandingham.
“I was a little worried,” coach Yeng Guiao said of the Air21 blitzkrieg. “But I knew that the team has the ability to regroup.”
Only Ginebra’s 32-0 run against Shell in 1991, Alaska’s 26-0 tear against Talk ‘N Text in 2008 and Red Bull and the Aces’ 22-0 runs opposite Magnolia in 2007 and Talk ‘N Text again also in 2007, respectively, topped Air21’s effort last night.
Meanwhile, commissioner Chito Salud formally asked Air21 owner Bert Lina to reveal the principals involved in its purchase of Barako Bull, a factor that could make or break the deal. Lina also needs the nod of seven of the board members for the purchase to be approved.
The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 116—Reid 24, Belga 18, Chan 15, Buenafe 13, Norwood 12, Arana 11, Kramer 6, Ibanes 5, Cruz 4, Rodriguez 4, Vanlandingham 3, Jazul 1.
AIR21 94—Bangura 20, Seigle 19, Hontiveros 12, Sharma 10, Canaleta 9, Urbiztondo 8, Avenido 8, Salvador 2, Artadi 2, Arboleda 2, Pena 2, Espiritu 0, Najorda 0.
Quarters: 30-20, 46-49, 82-74, 116-94
Second Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 101—Baker 17, Reyes 16, Aban 14, Castro 11, Williams 11, De Ocampo 10, Fonacier 5, Carey 5, Oreta 4, Alvarez 4, Peek 4, Yee 0, Lao 0, Alapag 0.
ALASKA 75—Baguio 20, Forte 16, Tenorio 12, Thoss 10, Dela Cruz 6, Reyes 4, Gonzales 4, Dimaunahan 3, Borboran 0, Eman 0, Cablay 0.
Quarters: 26-12, 50-32, 71-48, 101-75
