Talk ‘N Text holds on as Ginebra falls to 0-2

MANILA, Philippines – Late turnovers by their opponents and big shots down the stretch from their imports allowed the undermanned Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters to win their debut game in the PBA Governors’ Cup over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 95-91, on Sunday, May 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Steffphon Pettigrew had an impressive first performance for the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions, finishing with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The team’s Asian import, Sam Daghles, finished with 12 points in a game where Jayson Castro (hamstring) and Ranidel de Ocampo (knee) were both sidelined. 

Veteran big man Danny Seigle was named the player of the game after registering 14 markers on 6-of-9 shooting. 

Ginebra was led by their scoring machine of an import, Orlando Johnson, who finished with 46 points and 14 boards. 

Ginebra went ahead 84-83 in the fourth period before Talk ’N Text unleashed a game-turning 9-0 run.  

Pettigrew, Daghles, and Seigle each took turns hitting jumpers that enabled the Tropang Texters to re-take momentum of the contest, while on the other side of the floor, careless turnovers by Ginebra points guards put their team in a deeper hole.

The lead for Talk ’N Text went up to 10 before a Ginebra rally – spearheaded by 5 points from Josh Urbiztondo – trimmed the deficit to 94-91 with a little over 21 seconds to go.

Larry Fonacier was then fouled and split his charities. But after a time-out, the Gin Kings were unable to convert a basket, sealing the loss.

Rookie Kevin Alas (ankle) and Aaron Aban were also absent from Talk ’N Text’s lineup, with the former expected to miss a month of action. From Ginebra, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, and Chris Ellis were on the injury list. 

Ginebra head coach Frankie Lim, who’s now 0-2 since taking over the team, did not utilize Asian import Sanchir Tungalag even for a single minute. 

The Mongolia-based import was also seen isolated from his teammates during time-out huddles throughout the contest.

Sol Mercado and LA Tenorio combined for 23 points in their team’s losing effort.

Scores: 

TALK ‘N TEXT (95): Pettigrew 33, Seigle 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Daghles 12, Washington 7, Fonacier 6, Carey 5, Miller 5, Williams 0 

BARANGAY GINEBRA (91): Johnson 46, Mercado 13, Tenorio 10, Caguioa 6, Urbiztondo 5, Marcelo 4, Brondial 4, Baracael 3, Pena 0, Helterbrand 0

Quarter Scoring: 27-22, 53-48, 72-71, 95-91 

– Rappler.com