PBA: Fonacier stars as Talk 'N Text thwarts GlobalPort

The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters clamped down on defense in the final period to defeat the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 102-95, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, in the 2013 PBA Governors' Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas sniper Larry Fonacier was the best player of the game with 19 points, nine coming from a 3 of 6 clip from beyond the arc, three rebounds and four assists.

"We're not a very good team right now. Every game's gonna be tough," said TNT head coach Norman Black. "Everything's a bit of a struggle. We're trying to hang in there to qualify in the next round."

The Tropang Texters evened their card at 2-2, following back-to-back losses, while GlobalPort has been up and down with a defeat after each victory, to also flash a .500 record.

The reigning Philippine Cup champs got 42 points combined from national team standouts Fonacier, Jayson Castro and Ranidel De Ocampo. The team is still waiting for Jimmy Alapag's return on September 3.

"It'll be a big lift for us when Jimmy comes back," added Black. "It's nice to hear his voice again in the team. [It's] still an adjustment period with the three players on the national team coming in."

It was a tight game early in the first, as Gary David and Larry Fonacier exchanged triples for a 7-5 Talk 'N Text lead. The Tropa started to pull away midway though, as Tony Mitchell hit a couple of baskets, while Ranidel De Ocampo canned two free throws for a 13-7 lead.

Consecutive baskets from Markeith Cummings and Marvin Hayes inched GlobalPort closer, 15-11, but Ryan Reyes hit back with his own basket. Two more makes from Hayes cut the lead to two, 17-15, before Fonacier and Aban stretched it to six anew, 21-15.

Four points from Cummings were then canceled out by an Aaron Aban slam and a Mitchell dunk, as TNT held on to a 26-19 lead after one.

A pair of transition baskets from Chad Alonzo had GlobalPort creeping closer, 32-29, before Fonacier strung three together to re-establish a six-point lead for TNT. A split from De Ocampo, followed by a Mitchell triple gave the Texters an eight-point advantage, but Jondan Salvador and Gary David went on a 5-0 run, 39-36.

The Texters found their range late in the second, as Sean Anthony and Mitchell connected from deep. A Gary David layup ended the half with the Texters still ahead, 49-44.


After the intermission, Mitchell and Rabeh Al-Hussaini padded TNT's lead, 59-47, although Cummings tried to keep GlobalPort afloat, 60-52. The Texters kept on connecting though, as a Fonacier jumper was followed by a Mitchell alley-oop, 66-52.

A pair of free throws from David, followed by a trey from Jay Washington cut the lead to six, 66-60, before Cummings towed GlobalPort closer, 77-73. The Batang Pier import ended the third with a slam, further trimming the lead, 77-75, making it just a one-possession game heading into the fourth.

Ranidel De Ocampo and Mitchell created some separation, 86-79, while GlobalPort struggled to get anything going offensively.

A turnover from Gary David rung in the final two minutes with TNT still ahead, 100-88. The Texters decided to press, leading GlobalPort to settle for three's that did not connect. Cummings was there for a pair offensive rebounds, though, leading to free throws that cut the lead to seven with 59 seconds to play, 100-93.

A Sol Mercado steal led to a turnaround jumper from David, cutting the lead further. A Kelly Nabong steal led to a Cummings turnover, as the GlobalPort import did not expect the quick pass at the baseline.

The Texters tried to burn the clock from beyond the arc, as Mitchell took a late three that rimmed out. Castro was fouled after grabbing the offensive rebound, scoring two free throws for a seven-point lead with 15.3 to go. A Ryan Reyes steal on Gary David ended GlobalPorts hopes of a comeback, as TNT held on to win, 102-95.

Import Tony Mitchell managed 35 markers and nine boards in support of the Texters.

His GlobalPort counterpart Markeith Cummings produced 33 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, while another Gilas player, Gary David, chipped in 15 points, though he was 2-of-8 from deep. Offseason acquisition Jay Washington produced a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, but he turned the ball over five times.

GlobalPort lost despite shooting better, 44.4 percent versus 40.2 percent. TNT got more charity attempts, 38 versus 26, and crashed the glass more, 54-44.  - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Talk 'N Text 102 - Mitchell 35, Fonacier 19, Castro 12, De Ocampo 11, Reyes 8, Al-Hussaini 6, Anthony 5, Aban 5, Peek 1, Carey 0

GlobalPort 95 - Cummings 33, David 15, Washington 14, Mercado 10, Hayes 8, Alonzo 5, Nabong 4, Lingganay 4, Salvador 2, Buensuceso 0, Miller 0

Quarter scoring: 26-19, 49-44, 77-75, 102-95