Alapag, Fonacier lead Texters past Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier led the charge for the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters as they pulled the rug from underneath the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 83-81, on Wednesday, May 28 with the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup being played at Biñan, Laguna.

Veteran guard Alapag drilled a very long and crucial go-ahead triple early in the fourth to get his team’s nose ahead, 66-63.

He finished with 15 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting and 5 assists.

Fonacier, who ended up with 14 points 11 rebounds, later got another triple to go with 8:50 on the clock to extend the lead to 74-66.

Though the Painters didn’t lay down their arms so easily.

Jeff Chan pulled Rain or Shine to within two points, 83-81, as he made good on a triple following several offensive rebounds with 30.5 remaining. 

But towards the end, a good open three-pointer by Paul Lee failed to hit its mark as the Texters escaped with the W.

The Texters managed to recover and get their bearings after a bleak start to the second half.

After trailing 45-41 at the break, the Painters mounted a searing 15-4 run to build a 56-49 lead with under 5 minutes left in the third.

But the Texters came alive soon after in large part thanks to a pair of treys from KG Canaleta to keep things close, 60-57, with 2:26 remaining in that frame.

Canaleta paced the Texters with 15 points.

Scores:

TALK ‘N TEXT 83 – Alapag 15, Canaleta 15, Fonacier 14, Carney 13, De Ocampo 9, Williams 6, Carey 4, Reyes Ryan 2, Baclao 2, Castro 2, Reyes Rob 1. 

RAIN OR SHINE 81 – Reid 19, Chan 12, Almazan 9, Lee 8, Rodriguez 8, Tang 7, Tiu 5, Norwood 5, Arana 4, Belga 2, Cruz 2, Ibanes 0, Uyloan 0.

Quarter scores: 28-26, 45-41, 61-63, 83-81.

– Rappler.com