Castro puts reigning PHL Cup titlist Texters back into semifinals

Jason Castro and defending All-Filipino Conference titlist Talk 'N Text definitely showed the true heart of a champion Wednesday night. Castro sparked the reigning Philippine Cup title holders' huge second-half comeback and scored the game-winning basket as the Tropang Texters thwarted Barako Bull’s upset bid, 81-79, to advance into the semifinals of the PBA's season-opening tournament. The pint-sized playmaker out of Philippine Christian University came off the bench to finish with a career-high 32 points, dropping 20 in the second half that allowed the Texters to overhaul a 42-26 deficit late in the second quarter. The Energy even enjoyed a 44-30 halftime lead. Castro capped off his heroics by scoring on a lay-up off an isolation play with four seconds remaining to break a 79-all count and put Talk 'N Text on top for good. The Energy missed a chance to steal the game away and force a deciding do-or-die match as Wynne Arboleda missed a three-pointer that only hit the rim as the buzzer sounded. The Tropang Texters only needed to beat the Energy once to earn a Final Four berth. Talk 'N Text enjoy a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals for being the second-best team after the elimination round. "That's the value of a Jason Castro. It doesn't bother him whether he starts the game or not," said coach Chot Reyes in commending Castro, who was bumped off the starting unit as Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes finally returned from the injury list. The come-from-behind victory pushed the Tropang Texters into the All-Filipino Conference semifinals that won't start until January 4. Reyes doesn't mind the long rest as it gives his team—especially the injured players—enough time to recover and be ready for the grueling battle ahead as the Tropang Texters try to become the first team in 26 years to repeat as All-Filipino champions. "A lot of our players really need rest. So hopefully, we'll be able to do that, but at the same time stay as sharp as possible," said the Texters coach. Alapag added 15 for Talk 'N Text, which also got 14 from Kelly Williams and 10 from Japeth Aguilar, including back-to-back thunderous dunks at the height of the Texters’ third quarter rally. Mick Pennisi led the Energy with 16 points and two-time league Most Valuable Player Willie Miller had 15. Miller actually, scored five straight points for Barako Bull in the last 37 seconds just when Talk 'N Text appeared ready to wrap up the game, 79-74. The charismatic shooting guard completed a three-point play off a Jared Dillinger foul, and then converted another basket following a Talk `N Text turnover to level the count at 79 with 23 seconds left paving the way for the thrilling ending. — JVP, GMA News