Talk N’ Text at solo first, keeps Petron Blaze on losing track

Arwind Santos vs Kelly Williams. PBA IMAGES by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Talk N’ Text defeated Petron Blaze, 92-82, Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Larry Fonacier carried the offense of the Texters, who were hobbled by injuries like their opponent, and churned out 22 points, along with six rebounds and four dimes.

Talk N’ Text, which stayed atop the heap with a 7-1 slate, only got a chance to establish a good lead in the third quarter where Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams came alive.

“It was a better second half than the first. We were forced to play halfcourt because we gave up a lot of fastbreak points,” said head coach Norman Black.

The Texters allowed the Boosters to score 19 fastbreak points while they only managed two points on the run, but tightened up on D later on.

Williams and Alapag chipped in 14 and 13 points, in that order — most of it in the pivotal third quarter.

Chris Lutz played with workmanlike effort to provide the jolt for the ailing Boosters — who only had eight players in the rotation Wednesday.

Lutz finished with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal while three others had double digit ouputs.

But it was a better effort from Petron Blaze, who was just within striking distance with under six minutes to go in the game, 74-80.

The Boosters absorb their second straight loss for a subpar 3-5 record in the conference.

The scores:

TALK N’ TEXT 92 – Fonacier 21, Williams 16, De Ocampo 14, Alapag 13, Aban 9, Carey 6, Castro 5, Ferriols 4, Alvarez 2, Peek 2, Raymundo 0, Gamalinda 0.

PETRON 82 – Lutz 18, Santos 17, Washington 16, Yeo 10, Duncil 7, Miranda 6, Faundo 4, Cabagnot 4.

Quarters: 17-23, 42-42, 69-60, 92-82