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PBA: Sharp-shooting helps Talk 'N Text down San Mig Coffee, claim twice-to-beat


Mid-air duel as Talk 'N Text's Jayson Castro (C) draws the attention of San Mig Coffee's Justin Melton and Mark Barroca. KC Cruz


(Updated 10:18pm) The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters stayed undefeated with an 81-75 victory over the reigning PHL Cup champs San Mig Coffee Mixers, Monday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, in the 2014 Commissioner's Cup.

Just a game after clinching a quarterfinals slot, Talk N' Text guaranteed themselves a twice-to-beat advantage with their seventh straight win. The Mixers (3-2) meanwhile have now lost two in a row and slid to third place.

Richard Howell earned Best Player honors after putting up 25 points and 21 rebounds for the Texters. Ranidel De Ocampo and Jayson Castro each tallied 13 points and combined for 11 rebounds.

Coach Norman Black congratulated his team's defensive effort against San Mig Coffee tonight, but looking forward, expressed some apprehension about the upcoming All-Star Weekend. "We were in the semifinals [of the Commissioner's Cup] then Jimmy Alapag tore his calf muscle at All-Star Weekend," said Black about last year's festivities. "I hope we can come out of healthy, and we'll have practices this week to keep our guys sharp and energized."

He also hoped that the break doesn't throw off the Texters from their recent focus in the conference. "You like to continue to play. But at the same time we all have to abide by our schedule so we just have to go with it," he said. "We just have to make sure we keep the momentum going and keep playing at a very high level."

Triples were falling for Talk 'N Text early on, but they couldn't find a way to slow James Mays around the basket as the Mixers' import put up 13 points in the first seven minutes of play. However San Mig Coffee was unable to score after that, and allowed the Texters to edge them by the period's end, 19-15.

The Mixers' offensive struggles continued in the second quarter, while the Texters shared the rock and connected exclusively from 17 feet and beyond. KG Canaleta and Ranidel De Ocampo stroked the ball for a combined 11 points, propelling the Texters during an 18-0 streak. A Jayson Castro trey capped the blitz, giving them a 42-21 lead. On the other end of the floor, San Mig Coffee scored just two baskets since the 7:54 mark, both coming in the last minute, as they trailed 44-26 at halftime.

Talk 'N Text shot 17-of-47 (36.2 percent) after two quarters. They also hit 7-of-21 (33.3 percent) on three-pointers, with four of those made during that 18-0 run. San Mig Coffee went 11-of-34 (34.4 percent), and none of their locals had more than one made basket.
 
Clash of titans as James Mays (R) outscored Richard Howell, though Howell and the rest of TNT picked up the win. KC Cruz


In the third quarter, Mays and the Mixers' front court tried imposing their will down low, putting the Texters in the penalty just five minutes into the second half. But despite flustering Talk 'N Text on both ends, they couldn't convert their opportunities from the line and eat into the lead. The Texters then turned to Howell when their locals' shots started falling flat, but it was not enough. With Alex Mallari and Ian Sangalang barreling into the lane, San Mig Coffee closed the frame on a 14-6 run, 59-46.

Mallari and Sangalang carried their streaky play into the fourth, carrying the load for the Mixers while Talk 'N Text struggled to hold them off. The Texters saw their lead shrink to as much as six before Castro righted the ship, as he set up his teammates or took advantage of Justin Melton in the post, 74-64, during a 16-7 run.

Mays tried to get the Mixers going with a dunk and a triple, getting them within 10 with two minutes left on the game clock. But it was too little too late, as their 11-2 run in the endgame didn't do a lot to alter the final outcome.

The Texters finished the game shooting 31-of-84 (36.9 percent), including 9-of-32 (28.1 percent) from the arc. The Mixers went 30-of-70 (42.9 percent) from the field and 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) on three-pointers.

San Mig Coffee though left a lot of points on the table by going 11-of-25 (44 percent) from the free throw stripe. Mays went 8-of-14 on charities, while PJ Simon and Marc Pingris combined for a mediocre 2-of-7.

James Mays still led all scorers with 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Ian Sangalang made all his seven field goals to tally 15 points and four rebounds. Alex Mallari and PJ Simon each scored nine.  - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Talk 'N Text 81 - Howell 25, De Ocampo 13, Castro 13, Fonacier 8, Canaleta 6, Reyes 5, Alapag 5, Williams 4, Carey 2, Baclao 0

San Mig Coffee 75 - Mays 27, Sangalang 15, Mallari 9, Simon 9, Yap 5, Barroca 4, Pingris 3, Melton 3, De Ocampo 0, Devance 0

Quarter scoring: 19-15, 44-26, 59-46, 81-75
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