Rookies Tautuaa, Rosario lead Texters past Chinese Taipei

MANILA, Philippines – Moala Tautuaa had a double-double and Troy Rosario finished in double figures off the bench as the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters came away with their first victory, 99-91, in the 2015 MVP Cup on Saturday, September 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This year’s top rookie Tautuaa had another dominant effort of 20 points, 13 rebounds and two steals including 8-of-12 shooting from the field. Second overall pick Rosario took over in the fourth and spearheaded a critical run to come up with 19 points and 9 boards off the bench.

Danny Seigle added 17 markers and Denok Miranda put up 11 points with 6 assists as Talk ’N Text improved to a 1-1 record in the 3-day tournament.

The Texters, which joined the 4-team pocket tournament in lieu of Lebanon that backed out at the last minute, dropped its opening game against Gilas Pilipinas on Friday, September 11.

The Commissioner’s Cup champions from last season, despite playing undermanned with key players seeing action with the nationals, accomplished the come-from-behind win as they overturned a double-digit third quarter deficit.

Trailing by 13 with under two minutes left in the third, the Texters showed composure in the payoff period with Rosario leading a solo 7-2 run to take an 85-82 edge with 3:43 left.

The Taiwanese came to within 90-87 late but another bucket off the fastbreak from Rosario and a Larry Fonacier triple opened up a 97-87 lead with under 30 seconds to go to seal the victory.

Liu Cheng posted 24 points and 5 assists for Chinese-Taipei, which is still winless in the MVP Cup after getting blown out by New Zealand’s Wellington Saints on opening day. – Rappler.com