Talk’N Text hold off Air21 for 2nd straight win

MANILA, Philippines – Talk’N Text held off Air21, 95-91, to earn its second win in as many games in the 2014 PLDT Home TVolution Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday, March 8 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

It was a closely fought ball game, but the Texters showed composure in the end to come up with the 4-point win.

Air21 point guard Simon Atkins tied the ball game at 74 with 7:11 left to play making up for the foul he committed on the other end of the court.

It was a back-and-forth affair until Jimmy Alapag knocked down a triple and a tough baseline jumper for 5 straight points to put the Texters ahead 82-76 with about 5 minutes left in the game.

Air21, however, just wouldn’t give up closing gap to just a solitary point, 87-86, after a Mark Borboran triple with 2:51 left in the game. But Texters import Richard Howell was in the right place at the right time scoring two crucial baskets – a tip in and a cut off a pass from Kelly Williams – to put the game away for good.

Down by 4 points, 94-89, with 13 seconds left, the Air21 still could’ve had a chance to inch closer but the Texters’ defense forced Joseph Yeo to the baseline throwing and inadvertent pass which Mark Cardona could not handle.

Jayson Castro was named player of the game finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Howell, who had 30 rebounds in his debut game against the Alaska Aces, led all scorers with 29 points to go along with 12 rebounds.

Air21 import Herve Lamizana had a complete ball game tallying 18 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 7 blocks in a losing effort.

Scores:

Talk’N Text (95) – Howell 29, Castro 22, Alapag 14, De Ocampo 12, Carey 8, Williams 4, Reyes Ry. 3, Canaleta 2, Fonacier 1, Reyes Ro. 0, Aban 0, Baclao 0.

Air21 (91) – Taulava 23, Lamizana 18, Borboran 10, Atkins 10, Yeo 9, Villanueva 7, Cardona 6, Manuel 4, Matias 2, Camson 2, Poligrates 0, Burtscher 0, Sharma 0.

Quarterscores: 27-20, 43-38, 66-62, 95-91

– Rappler.com