Talk ‘N Text decimates Barako Bull to advance in PBA playoffs

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters are going to advance to phase two of the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs quarterfinal round after easily dispatching their phase one opponents, the Barako Bull Energy, 105-76, on Friday, December 12, at the Ynares Center. 

Rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser had a superb showing with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 7 rebounds for the Tropang Texters, who entered the postseason with an 8-4 record and now await the winner of the series between Barangay Ginebra and GlobalPort to determine who advances to the semis round. 

TNT rookie Kevin Alas also impressed with 14 points and 4 assists, while Jayson Castro put up 14 points. Starting big man Rob Reyes pitched in 10 markers and 11 boards.  

The Texters came out of the gates slow, leading only by four, 23-19, at the end of the first quarter. Near the end of the second period, a basket by Denok Miranda put Barako Bull up 29-28. 

“Minsan, it’s the mentality of the player to relax sa umpisa… I should be able to 

pump them up a bit,” TNT head coach Jong Uichico said after the game.  

(The players sometimes have the mentality to relax at the start of games.) 

“Medyo mababa lang yung energy in the first quarter.” 

(The energy was just low in the first quarter.) 

After the basket of Miranda, who finished with 9 points on 4-of-15 shooting, TNT went on a 10-0 run to take a 38-29 lead. The Texters continued to pound on the lackadaisical defense of the Energy, establishing a 47-32 lead at the half. 

Near the end of the third quarter, Larry Fonacier hit two straight 3-balls to put his team up 76-50. Barako was unable to get any closer. 

“The win today just moved us to the next round. It’s nice that we won and moved to the next round, but there’s still another game,” said Uichico. 

“Yung kaya namin talunin, yun yung gusto ko,” he joked when asked whom he’d rather face between Ginebra and GlobalPort. 

(Whomever we can beat, that’s whom I want to face.) 

TNT shot 51% from the field and limited Barako to 33% shooting. The Tropang Texters went 10-of-23 from downtown and shared the wealth with 22 assists, but did throw the ball away too many times with 16 turnovers.  

“It’s nice to see them improve, but syempre, at the end of the day, [we] have to win a championship,” Uichico said about his team. 

JC Intal had 16 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Energy, who entered the postseason with a 4-7 record. 

Scores 

TNT (105): Ganuelas-Rosser: 19, Alas 14, Castro 14, Fonacier 11, Reyes Rob 10, Washington 9, De Ocampo 7, Seigle 5, Aban 5, Carey 4, Reyes Ryan 3, Williams 2, Espiritu 2, Alapag 0 

Barako (76): Intal 16, Wilson 15, Miranda 9, Paredes 8, Marcelo 7, Lanete 7, Garcia 4, Salvador 4, Lastimosa 4, Matias 2, Holstein 0, Pena 0, Hubalde 0, Pascual 0

Quarter Scores: 23-19, 47-32, 76-52, 105-76

– Rappler.com