PBA: Talk n' Text wins, adds to Petron's woes

 

After a surprise beatdown from the Air 21 Express, the Petron Blaze Boosters suffered its second straight defeat on Wednesday, this time in the hands of the Talk n' Text Tropang Texters, 92-82, at the Araneta Coliseum.

 

"It was a better second half than the first half. Second half we forced the to play halfcourt," said Talk n' Text head coach Norman Black. "We did a good job on the boards; we played much better defense in the second half.

 

Larry Fonacier scored 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field to lead the Texters to a win after a controversial loss against Alaska last week. Fonacier made timely baskets to quell runs from the Boosters. He was backed up by Kelly Williams, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Jimmy Alapag who combined for 43 points.

 

After a basket by Chris Lutz to slice the Talk 'n Text lead to six at 80-74, Fonacier sank a cold-blooded trey from two feet beyond the three point line to extend the lead to nine with only 4:42 left in the game. The Boosters were not able to threaten the Tropang Texters after that dagger of a three.

 

Petron started the game on fire as they outscored the Tropang Texters 23-17. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Air21 Express, the Boosters looked like they would take their frustrations out on Talk 'n Text. Arwind Santos led the Boosters with nine points in the first quarter, but it was Chris Lutz who left the exclamation point with a three just before time expired.

 

Fonacier led the Tropang Texters back into the game by scoring 12 points in the second quarter. He sank a jumper with less then 10 seconds left before the half to give the Talk 'n Text a two-point lead, but Lutz was again involved in the quarter's final play. He dished out an assist to a streaking Jojo Duncil to tie it up at 42 at the half.

 

As is usual for Norman Black teams, the Tropang Texters stepped back into the court with renewed effort especially on defense.

 

"We did a good job in controlling the boards which led to baskets for us in the other end," said Black. "We were not coming down on defense in the first half and I told the guys we won't be winning games this conference if we defend like that."

 

The result was a 27-18 third quarter for the Tropang Texters and a lead that they will not relinquish for the rest of the game. The Tropang Texters limited the Boosters to an atrocious 26.9% field goal shooting percentage in the third quarter, while making 55.6% of their own. 

 

Kelly Williams sank a three with 1:04 left in the third and Castro followed it up with a layup before the buzzer sounded for a comfortable 69-60 lead going into the payoff period.

 

The Tropang Texters had a relatively easy time disposing of a severly depleted Petron lineup. The Boosters played without June Mar Fajardo, Dorian Pena, Marcio Lassiter, and Danny Ildefonso, although they also had their own injuries as they played without Jared Dillinger and Ryan Reyes.

 

"I told them that we just have to make do with what we have," said Black. The other teams are also struggling with their injuries so there's really no excuse. The good news is that both JD and Ryan will be back for our game this Sunday against Ginebra."

 

The loss was yet another bitter pill to swallow for Petron who are now 1-2 since Rajko Toroman was relieved of his assistant coaching duties. The Boosters, whose problem at the start of the conference was having too many players, had a difficult time with their injuries in this game. They only played eight players with all their starters logging in more than 29 minutes on the court. 

 

Santos tried to carry the fight for Petron by getting 17 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals but the Boosters got little from their point guards who only combined for 10 points.

 

With the win, the Texters now strengthen their hold of the top spot with a 7-1 win-loss record, while Petron slides down to tie Barako Bull at sixth place at 3-5. - RAF, GMA News  

 

The scores:

 

TALK N' TEXT 92 - Fonacier 21, Williams 16, De Ocampo 14, Alapag 13, Aban 9, Carey 6, Castro 5, Ferriols 4, Alvarez 2, Peek 2, Raymundo 0, Gamalinda 0.

 

PETRON 82 - Lutz 18, Santos 17, Washington 16, Yeo 10, Duncil 7, Miranda 6, Faundo 4, Cabagnot 4.

 

Quarters: 17-23, 42-42, 69-60, 92-82