Talk ’N Text dominates Kia in Alapag’s return

MANILA, Philippines – Thanks to a dominant second half effort, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters earned their second straight blowout win by taking care of the KIA Sorento, 85-62, in the elimination round of the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday evening, November 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

Kelly Williams led the way with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Jayson Castro put up 11 points and 3 rebounds to lead the Texters, who outscored their opponents 46-17 in the third and fourth quarters.

The win improved Talk ‘N Text’s record to 3-2, while KIA suffered their fourth straight loss and dropped to 1-4.

“It just so happened na ganon talaga,” TNT head coach Jong Uichico said after the game, referring to his club’s second straight lopsided win. “It’s not like naman we’re trying [to blow opponents out].”

(It just so happened that’s how it turned out. We’re not trying to blow out opponents.)

The third quarter was all Talk ‘N Text, as the Tropang Texters outscored the Sorento, 20-9, and took a 15-point lead entering the fourth period following a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Larry Fonacier, who finished with 12 points with two 3-pointers.

Halfway through the fourth period, a 3-pointer by Castro gave TNT a 22-point edge 72-50. KIA answered right back with a long range shot of their own, but they failed to trim the deficit any more and were unable to go on a late run.

“We struggled a bit with offense in the start. I think they did a good job of defending us in the first half,” said Uichico as the Sorento managed to stay close in the game’s first 24 minutes, trailing only by four, 39-35, at the half.

Near the end of the game, the Tropang Texters’ lead was safe enough that Uichico decided to check in Jimmy Alapag for the first time in the 2014-2015 PBA season.

“We tried to give him minutes,” the head coach said about his veteran point guard, who finished with 2 points on 1-of-2 shooting in close to 7 minutes of action.

“We couldn’t find an opportunity in the first half cause the game was tight, so I tried to find an opportunity in the second half.”

KIA was spearheaded by Karl Dehesa, who had 14 points and 2 rebounds. Rudy Lingganay had 11.

TNT shot only 39% from the field but limited the Sorento to 29% shooting for the game. The Tropang Texters also won the rebounding department, 63-51, and converted 11 points off turnovers while KIA had 0.

Up Next

Talk ‘N Text: will take on the Meralco Bolts on Tuesday, November 11, at the Cuneta Astrodome

KIA: will take on the Alaska Aces on Tuesday, November 11, at the Cuneta Astrodome

Scores

Talk ’N Text (85): Williams 13, Fonacier 12, Castro 11, Espiritu 10, Washington 8, Seigle 8, Reyes 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Alas 5. Alapag 2, De Ocampo 2, Aban 2, Carey 0, Labagala 0

Kia (62): Dehesa 13, Lingganay 11, Cervantes 8, Webb 7, Buensuceso 6, Revilla 4, Pascual 4, Jaime 3, Raymundo 3, Thiele 2, Alonzo 0, Saldua 0, Sanga 0, Padilla 0, Alvarez 0

Quarter Scores: 17-14, 39-35, 59-44, 85-62

– Rappler.com