PBA: Texters, Mixers stay unscathed

BARAKO Bull’s Joshua Dollard slips as he tries to wiggle out of a TNT double team of Harvey Carey (left) and Nino Canaleta in last night’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Larry Fonacier hit a decisive triple off a Jason Castro feed and Talk ‘N Text went on to repulse Barako Bull, 101-96, Sunday to keep its unbeaten track record going in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fonacier’s three-pointer gave the Tropang Texters a five-point advantage with barely two minutes left before TNT secured their fourth straight win in the single-round eliminations with free throws down the stretch.

“It feels good to have a good start in the conference,” said TNT coach Norman Black. “This is a short conference and it’s really important to get ahead early and not to play catchup in the end.”

San Mig Coffee, with rookie Ian Sangalang shining in the clutch, powered the Coffee Mixers past the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 90-80, to also remain unbeaten in two games.

The 6-foot-4 Sangalang banged in eight points capped by a followup underneath to give San Mig a nine-point advantage that took the fight from the Kings.

“Ian gave us a huge lift. He doesn’t blink, he’s not afraid and he doesn’t back down against bigger guys,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone. “It’s the reason he’s the consensus No. 2 pick in the draft. Man, he plays effective.”

Sangalang, instrumental in San Mig’s championship run in the Philippine Cup recently, could become an added attraction for the PBA All-Stars with teammates Mark Barroca and James Yap and rookie top pick Greg Slaughter of Ginebra already in the team.

The All-Stars will play Gilas Pilipinas in the All-Star week festivities from April 3 to 6.

Josh Dollard rattled off seven straight points in the closing minutes but it wasn’t enough to stop the Energy Cola from sinking to their third defeat in four games.

Castro mocked Barako’s big men for 25 points while Richard Howell was again a steady presence inside with 23 points and 20 rebounds.

Niño Canaleta fired two three-pointers and finished with 18 points and Fonacier, with four triples, wound up with 16.

Three-pointers by Ronjay Buenafe and JC Intal allowed the Energy Cola to surge ahead after three quarters, 68-76.

Howell and Canaleta later erased Barako’s six-point lead early in the fourth and it was touch and go until Fonacier nailed the three that scuttled Barako’s rally.

Finding a gem of an import in James Mays, the Coffee Mixers asserted their mastery over the Gin Kings, whom they trounced in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup last conference.

Mays finished with 29 points and 29 rebounds.

The scores:

First Game

TALK ‘N TEXT 101—Castro 25, Howell 23, Canaleta 18, Fonacier 16, De Ocampo 11, Alapag 6, Williams 2, Aban 0, Reyes 0, Baclao 0, Carey 0.

BARAKO 96—Dollard 33, Buenafe 18, Miranda 14, Intal 13, Miller 11, Pennisi 3, Jensen 2, Pena 2, Deutchman 0, Fortuna 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarters: 24-30, 45-48, 67-68, 101-96

Second Game

SAN MIG COFFEE 90—Mays 29, Yap 13, Simon 11, Sangalang 10, Devance 7, Melton 6, Barroca 5, Reavis 5, Pingris 2, Mallari 2.

GINEBRA 80—Rodgers 35, Aguilar 12, Tenorio 11, Slaughter 7, Ellis 6, Caguioa 4, Mamaril 2, Forrester 2, Reyes 1, Ababou 0.

Quarters: 21-22, 41-43, 69-67, 90-80

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