Talk ‘N Text bounces back with NLEX thrashing

MANILA, Philippines – After the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters came out of halftime on fire to start the second half, they made sure not to make the same mistakes they did in the second quarter. 

Converting their first four attempts from the field in the third, the Tropang Texters quickly extended their lead to 10, 49-39, and stayed ahead by not letting the Road Warriors to find rhythm on offense by forcing turnovers and tough shots. 

Not long after, a floater by Larry Fonacier and corner 3-pointer by Jayson Castro in a span of less than 20 seconds put TNT up 67-47. It provided enough of a cushion for Coach Jong Uichico to earn his first ever victory as a head coach of Talk ‘N Text against the NLEX Road Warriors, 103-81, on Friday evening, October 24, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Tropang Texters are now 1-1 in the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup Conference.

“We tried to get things together as soon as we can,” Uichico said after the game, talking about his team bouncing back from their double-digit loss to Ginebra on Sunday, October 19. 

His club was led by the dynamic combo of Jay Washington and Jayson Castro, who scored 14 of their total 34 points in the first quarter where Talk ‘N Text led by as much as 16. 

After letting NLEX bounce back in the second period and cut the deficit to five at the half, TNT made sure to not let up in the game’s final 24 minutes. 

“We’re hopefully getting adjusted to each other and the mentality and the system,” Uichico said about his team, who spent the entirety of the last PBA season under head coach Norman Black, who’s now with the Meralco Bolts. 

Kelly Williams also had a productive output, registering 18 points and 5 rebounds while Fonacier provided a spark off the bench with 7 markers. After missing his team’s loss to Ginebra on Sunday, October 19, national team member Ranidel De Ocampo returned and put up 4 points on 1-of-4 shooting. Jimmy Alapag, on the other hand, remained on the sidelines once again. 

TNT rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser had his second straight noteworthy game, finishing with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. 

“Matt gives us the size and the athleticism and the defensive player that we need,” his coach complimented him following the contest.

Aldrech Ramos finished with 14 points and hit 4 3-balls for the Road Warriors, now 1-1, and was the main reason why TNT’s lead didn’t balloon to as much as 30 in the third period, where the former FEU Tamaraw knocked in a couple of long range jumpers.

Jonas Villanueva led the way with 19 points, while Asi Taulava and Macmac Cardona combined for 25 for NLEX, who played their first game under new head coach Boyet Fernandez.

With about eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter, back-to-back triples by Jonas Villanueva put some life to NLEX’s late-game rally, cutting the TNT lead to 14, 81-67. Not long after, a couple of post moves by Enrico Villanueva sliced the deficit to 11. 

However, TNT had an answer right away. Thanks to a combined eight straight points from Washington and Fonacier, the Texters’ lead increased back to 19, 93-74, and they never looked back. 

Red hot from the field, Talk ‘N Text shot an impressive 47% overall, making 10 of their 23 attempts from 3-point range. TNT also made sure to share the wealth by dishing out 22 assists, with Castro leading the category by registering 9 dimes.

NLEX, on the other hand, also shot well from the field by making 45% of their attempts. However, 29 turnovers by the Road Warriors proved costly, resulting to 32 TNT points. 

TNT started the game guns ablaze, making most of their contested jumpers in the early goings of the first quarter and leaning on the individual play of both Washington and Castro, who combined for half of the team’s first 28 points.

Trailing by as much as 16, 28-12, in the first period, NLEX reinvented their offense in the second quarter to find more open shooters for 3-pointers off kick outs from double teams. The result was noticeable instantly, as the Road Warriors climbed their way back and cut the lead to four, 36-32, following a Ramos 3-ball just before halftime. 

Scores

TNT (103): Washington 19, Williams 18, Castro 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Carey 13, Fonacier 13, Reyes Ryan 5, Reyes Rob 5, Alas 4, De Ocampo 4, Labagala 2, Seigle 2, Aban 2, Espiritu 0

NLEX (81): Villanueva Jonas 19, Ramos 14, Cardona 13, Taulava 12, Villanueva Enrico 10, Canaleta 5, Borboran 3, Baloria 3, Apinan 2, Raymundo 0, Camson 0, Villarias 0, Arboleda Wyne 0, Arboleda Harold 0

Quarter Scores: 28-15, 39-34, 75-55, 103-81

– Rappler.com