Tony Mithcell vs Vernon Macklin PBA IMAGE / Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Talk N’ Text clobbered Brgy. Ginebra, 98-80, as new import Tony Mitchell impressed in his first game, leading his squad to 2-1 series lead in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mitchell sizzled with 29 points and 12 rebounds in his first game in the Philippines, helping the Texters turn a 43-48 deficit at halftime to a lead as wide as 21 points.
“This was a very interesting situation for us tonight. We got Tony last Wednesday and I didn’t really know what to expect,” said head coach Norman Black.
But the young Mitchell did not disappoint, pouring 11 points in the third quarter where Talk N’ Text pulled away for good.
“He played pretty well today. I think as the series goes on he’ll get better,” said Black of Jerome Jordan’s last minute replacement.
But it wasn’t just about the import as locals like Larry Fonacier — who played his best game of the series — Jayson Castro and Ranidel De Ocampo stepped up as well.
“I tip my hats off to my local players. The team continued to battle, continued to fight, continued to believe that they can win,” said Black.
Fonacier uncorked three treys and finished with 20points while Castro and De Ocampo each chipped in 15 markers.
While Talk N Text is slowly gaining its old form, the Kings look far from the team who dominated the Texters in game one of the best-of-five series before the All-Star break.
Ginebra got badly beat in rebounds, 46-65, and shot poorly from the field, just 31 percent compared to Talk N’ Text’s 44.9 percent.
Vernon Macklin scattered 17 points and 16 rebounds, veteran Kerby Raymundo also had 17 while L.A. Tenorio added 10.