Texters grab share of lead

Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk N Text (light) vs Aldrech Ramos of Air21 (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines–With its local crew again delivering, Talk ‘N Text on Monday night still proved too much for Air21 to handle, with a 102-91 decision of the Express giving the Tropang Texters a share of the PBA Governors’ Cup lead at Mall of Asia Arena.

Ranidel de Ocampo scored 24 points to lead four other locals with twin-digit scores as they  made up for another mediocre game by import Rodney Carney to whip the Express and climb into a tie with idle San Mig Coffee at 4-1.

Air21 got the usual outputs from import Dominique Sutton and Asi Taulava, but the Express had a shallower bench and couldn’t keep in step with the Texters.

The Express thus lost for the second time in their last three games and dropped to 3-2 overall, temporarily out of the Top Four that will get twice-to-beat privileges in the first round of the playoffs.

The big story for the Texters, according to coach Norman Black, is whether or not to gamble with Carney or call in another import in his place.

“My local players really stepped up,” Black said after getting just 12 points and two rebounds from Carney, a replacement for original import Othyus Jeffers who was barred from playing after just one game.

It was the third straight win for the Texters with Carney as an import, their only loss coming at the hands of Alaska when the coaching staff was forced to sit Jeffers out because of complications with his old NBA contract.

“The earliest we can get him (Jeffers) back is in the Finals,” Black said. “Big question [on whether to replace Carney now].”

Sutton finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds and Taulava posted 20 and 14.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, sister teams coming off losses, try to get their respective campaigns back on track when they meet separate foes today.

The Beermen take on the Globalport Batang Pier at 5:45 p.m. while Ginebra battles Barako Bull at 8 p.m. also at MOA Arena.

THE SCORES:

TALK ‘N TEXT 102—De Ocampo 24, Castro 19, Alapag 16, Carney 12, Williams 11, Carey 10, Fonacier 5, Baclao 3, Canaleta 2, Reyes Rob 0, Reyes Ryan 0.

AIR21 91—Sutton 31, Taulava 20, Ramos 10, Poligrates 8, Yeo 8, Villanueva J. 5, Atkins 4, Cardona 3, Borboran 2, Villanueva E. 0, Jaime 0, Burtscher 0, Camson 0.

Quarters: 23-19, 52-44, 83-67, 102-91