PBA: Talk 'N Text survives GlobalPort in Iloilo

Talk 'N Text relied on clutch shots from Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes to give the Tropang Texters a win against cellar dwellers GlobalPort Batang Pier, 94-84, on Saturday in Iloilo City. Talk 'N Text went on a shooting spree from deep in the first half and went up by as much as 18 points in the third quarter, but GlobalPort staged a comeback in the second half, using a 14-2 run in the fourth to pull within four points, 86-82. Jimmy Alapag came to the Texters' rescue though with a pair of huge three-pointers, as Batang Pier couldn't pull it together in the final four minutes. Talk 'N Text had won their first encounter earlier in the conference, dominating Batang Pier on February 20, 99-79. The win allowed Talk n' Text (6-6) to draw even with the San Mig Coffee Mixers at sixth place. Meanwhile, GlobalPort has now lost nine games in a row (2-10) and have been formally eliminated from the playoffs. The Batang Pier are searching for their first win since their February 15 victory against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 89-80. Player of the game honors went to Ryan Reyes, who posted his best outing this conference with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists. GlobalPort gunned from outside early in the first quarter, as triples from Will Antonio and Jason Deutchman netted Batang Pier a 12-4 lead. Talk 'N Text ran the floor and found baskets early in the clock, but a Willie Miller trey fended them off, 22-20. The Texters recovered in the last three minutes, as Jayson Castro nailed a triple of his own to lead his team to a 9-5 finish, 29-27, after the first period. Miller ran Batang Pier's offense in the second quarter, and his penetration created opportunities for GlobalPort, but that well ran dry as they couldn't get their shots down despite tracking offensive boards. The Texters were no more coherent than Batang Pier but survived on three-pointers, as Ryan Reyes, Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier got them going from deep. TNT threw in a couple more transition goals in the last two minutes as they closed the half on a 20-5 romp, 56-40. Talk 'N Text made 9-of-14 three-pointers in the first half (62.3 percent), including two apiece by Alapag, Reyes and Fonacier. In contrast, Batang Pier were 3-of-8 (37.5 percent). TNT also edged them in fast break points (19-4) and turnover points (11-4). Batang Pier's offense picked up when play resumed as Gary David and Jaypee Belencion linked up for their first eight points, but inconsistencies on defense, especially in transition, allowed TNT to boost their lead, 69-51, on a fast break bucket by Reyes. Midway through the quarter, Talk n' Text's shots stopped falling when they were forced to play the halfcourt game. Meanwhile, GlobalPort battled inside to claw their way back. Batang Pier's activity on the glass paid off as they went on a 15-6 run, capped by a Japeth Aguilar tip-in at the buzzer, to trail by nine after three quarters, 76-66. TNT pushed the pace in the fourth period and posted a 9-2 run, punctuated by an Alapag triple. But they cooled off again as GlobalPort's gunners got going, as even Sly Morgan hit one from deep. David, Deutchman and Reed Juntilla connected from range as well to make it an 86-82 game. In the end, it was Alapag who steered his team home, as he drained two threes in an 8-0 run with a minute and a half to play to leave GlobalPort in the dust. Junel Baculi's squad was unable to capitalize on their comeback and had only one field goal in the last four minutes. Sol Mercado didn't suit up for GlobalPort tonight, as he has been shut down for the rest of the conference to rest a nagging shoulder injury. Jared Dillinger has also been sidelined for TNT. Forward Kelly Williams also took an indefinite leave of absence to attend to health concerns. - RAF, GMA News The scores: TALK N' TEXT 94 - Reyes 24, Alapag 20, De Ocampo 13, Castro 12, Harvey 6, Fonacier 6, Al-Hussaini 6, Aban 5, Carey 2, Raymundo 0, Peek 0. GLOBALPORT 84 - Morgan 19, Miller 15, Deutchman 12, Aguilar 11, David 10, Juntilla 5, Belencion 4, Yee 3, Antonio 3, Mandani 2, Salvador 0, Lingganay 0. Quarter scores: 29-27, 56-40, 75-66, 94-84