Castro, Alapag’s 3-point explosion lifts Talk ’N Text over Barako Bull

MANILA, Philippines – Jayson Castro and Jimmy Alapag sizzled from beyond the arc with a combined 8 triples to lead the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters to a 122-106 rout of the Barako Bull Energy Cola in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, November 23 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Castro hit a game-high 26 points on 4-of-9 three-pointers, 9-of-14 field goals, and 4-of-4 free throws to pave the way for the blowout victory and a 5-3 win-loss slate.

Alapag, on the other hand, had an efficient 15 minutes off the bench as he torched Barako with a near-perfect 4-of-5 clip from long range for his 14 points on top of 4 assists. 

Gunners Larry Fonacier and Ranidel de Ocampo were equally productive with 13 points apiece. 

The Texters were firing on all cylinders Sunday night, shooting 51% from the field. But they were deadliest from the perimeter, converting 18 of their 38 long bombs.

Talk ’N Text’s hot start set the tone of the game as they made mince meat of Barako’s defense and accumulated 40 points by the end of the first period, before dropping another 33 markers in the second frame to install a 73-48 halftime advantage the Energy would never overcome.

Paulo Hubalde, who was traded from San Miguel to Barako Bull in exchange for Jeric Fortuna, topscored with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while Chico Lanete and JC Intal contributed 16 points each.

The Energy fell to 2-6 after winning back-to-back in their previous games, including an upset of the Alaska Aces which spoiled the latter’s winless record.

Scores:

TALK N’ TEXT (122): Castro 26, Alapag 14, Fonacier 13, De Ocampo 13, Aban 10, Rosser 9, Washington 8, Reyes Rob 7, Reyes Ryan 7, Alas 7, Carey 6, Seigle 2, Aguilar 0, Espiritu 0.

BARAKO (106): Hubalde 19, Intal 16, Lanete 16, Miranda 12, Pennisi 11, Marcelo 9, Lastimosa 7, Pascual 7, Wilson 7, Garcia 2, Salvador 0, Salva 0, Paredes 0.

Quarter scores: 40-20, 73-48, 97-79, 122-106.

Here are photos of the game taken by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

– Rappler.com