PBA: Talk 'N Text waxes hot, blows out Barako

The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters scorched hot, shooting 51 percent from the field and leading by as much as 35 points to dominate Barako Bull, 105-76, on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

"There's this mentality ng players minsan na magrelax, medyo mababa lang yung energy nung first quarter. They picked up their energy sa second quarter," said Talk 'N Text coach Jong Uichico. "There's still another game we have to think of," referring to their impending matchup against the winner of the Barangay Ginebra-Global Port duel.

Matt Ganuelas-Rosser led Talk 'N Text with 19 points and seven boards, while Jayson Castro added 14. The Texters got a lot from their bench, with everyone except Jimmy Alapag scoring. Kevin Alas and Larry Fonacier led the second unit with 14 and 11 points respectively. They were splendid from deep, hitting 10 of 23 attempts from three-point range. Talk 'N Text also shared the ball and found their shooters, cashing in on 22 assists.

It was a close game after the first quarter, as Barako stayed within striking distance, 23-19. Talk 'N Text turned it up in the second, though, posting 24 points while limiting Barako to just 13. At the half, the Texters led 47-32.

It was still all Talk 'N Text in the third quarter, as the Tropa leaned on Larry Fonacier's steady sniping. Entering the fourth, Barako was down 24, 76-52. The lead ballooned to as much as 35 points in the final two minutes, 103-68, as Talk 'N Text cruised to victory.

JC Intal was the lone bright spot for Barako, scoring 16 points. He also added eight boards, but was 1 of 7 from long range. No other Barako starter scored in double figures, with Denok Miranda coming closest with nine. Willy Wilson was effective off the bench with 15 markers and seven boards. - Renee Fopalan/JST, GMA News

The scores:

TALK N' TEXT 105 - Rosser 19, Alas 14, Castro 14, Fonacier 11, Reyes R.J. 10, Washington 9, De Ocampo 7, Seigle 5, Aban 5, Carey 4, Reyes R. 3, Williams 2, Espiritu 2, Alapag 0.

BARAKO 76 - Intal 16, Wilson 15, Miranda 9, Paredes 8, Marcelo 7, Lanete 7, Garcia 4, Salvador 4, Lastimosa 4, Matias 2, Holstein 0, Pena 0, Hubalde 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 23-19, 47-32, 76-52, 105-76