TALK ‘N Text turned in one of its finest performances so far, carving out a crushing 107-96 win against GlobalPort to improve its stand in the final stretch of the elimination round of the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Jayson Castro stood his ground in his entertaining battle with fellow Smart Gilas Pilipinas star Terrence Romeo as he paced the Tropang Texters with a game-high 25 points, to go with his four rebounds and six assists.
The victory was a huge boost to Talk ‘N Text’s chances of ending up in the Top 6, which offers a twice-to-beat advantage, as it is now tied for fifth and sixth places with Barangay Ginebra on similar 6-4 cards.
Ironically, those teams battle tomorrow, with the winner claiming the No. 5 seed and assuring itself of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.
Although GlobalPort had its four-game winning streak snapped as it ended its elimination-round campaign with a 7-4 mark, it is still assured of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals and will now await the result of the final games to see the seed they will assume in the Top 6.
“We needed to win this game, kasi hindi pa namin alam saan kami talaga. We also need to win our last game and then we’ll see,’’ said Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico. ‘’Ang gusto lang namin ay to get a twice-to-beat advantage.’’
GlobalPort actually got off to a good start, going ahead, 22-15, at the end of one, but Talk ‘N Text countered with an even bigger surge of its own to steal control of the contest.
The Tropang Texters blasted the Batang Pier in a game-turning second period, 38-22, to seize a 53-44 advantage at intermission.
Talk ‘N Text even held a double-digit lead, 53-39, with more than a minute left in the first half after Troy Rosario’s jumper.
There was no looking back from there for the Tropang Texters as they coasted in the second half and took care of their lead before securing the victory.
Talk ‘N Text missed the services of top pick Moala Tautuaa, who had back spasms.
Rosario added 19 points for Talk ‘N Text.
Romeo and his partner Stanley Pringle led GlobalPort with 24 points each.
Today, Rain or Shine and Alaska continue their chase for a Top 2 finish as they take on separate opponents in their final assignments. The Aces meet dangerous Barako Bull at 3 p.m., while the Elasto Painters clash with the Road Warriors at 5:15 p.m
The scores:
TNT 107—Castro 25, Rosario 19, Aban 9, Carey 9, Fonacier 9, Seigle 9, Williams 7, Rosser 6, Reyes R. 6, Reyes J. 5, Miranda 3, Rodriguez 0.
GLOBALPORT 96—Pringle 24, Romeo 24, Yeo 14, Semerad 9, Jensen 8, Mamaril 6, Kramer 5, Maierhofer 4, Washington 2, Isip 0, Paniamogan 0, Pena 0, Uyloan 0, Sumang 0.
Quarters: 15-22, 53-44, 83-69, 107-96
