Mark-Yee-vs-Jason-Castro. Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines – Talk ‘N Text pulled away in the second half to rout GlobalPort 99-79 Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jimmy Alapag scored 15 points and dished out seven assists to help the Tropang Texters notch their second win in three games.
“We knew coming in GlobalPort is playing great,” said Alapag. “We did a good job in limiting them, it’s a total team effort.”
TNT held down GlobalPort’s usual hitters Gary David, Japeth Aguilar and Sol Mercado to a sub-par game.
David had 19 points but had a poor shooting while Mercado, who came in averaging 13 assists per game, to just four dimes. Aguilar, the former Talk ‘N Text forward, was ineffective, scoring only four points as the Batang Pier suffered their second straight setback after going 2-0 to start the conference.
Import Keith Benson shot a game-high 20 points while Jayson Castro added 19 points for TNT, which broke loose from a four-point lead 49-45 at the half.
AJ Mandani made two free throws to pull GlobalPort to within six 67-73 early in the fourth quarter before Talk ‘N Text surged ahead thanks to a 16-4 run to lead 89-71 on a basket by Benson.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 99 – Benson 20, Castro 19, Alapag 15, Dillinger 14, Fonacier 13, Al-Hussaini 6, De Ocampo 4, Carey 4, Gamalinda 2, Williams 2, Raymundo 0, Reyes 0, Alvarez 0.
GLOBALPORT 79 – Williams 19, David 19, Mercado 14, Yee 7, Mandani 4, Aguilar 4, Salvador 4, Adducul 4, Deutchman 2, Miller 2, Aljamal 0.
Quarters: 22-27, 49-45, 71-61, 99-79