Win over Alaska gets Talk ‘N Text back on track in Philippine Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Coach Tim Cone’s worst fear became true Friday night. Talk `N Text, the team Cone described as the second most talented in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) today, dealt Alaska its first loss of the season, 91-83, in a win that had the Tropang Texters getting back on track in the KFC Philippine Cup. Ali Peek returned to active duty and scored 16 points, rookie Jared Dilinger had another big game of 18 markers while Mac Cardona topscored with 24 in a balance scoring for the Tropang Texters, who arrested a two-game losing streak. The team improved to 3-2 overall and tied Rain or Shine at fourth spot. “Everybody stepped up, but it was Ali Peek who really made the big difference. Malaking tulong talaga siya sa amin," said Cardona of the stocky Fil-Am center, who missed the team’s first four games due to injury. The Aces finally saw their immaculate record tainted, allowing the idle San Miguel Beermen to tie them on top with identical 4-1 cards. Alaska played catch-up for most of the game played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, but never got to overcome a Talk `N Text side that scored heavily from just about everywhere. Cone even failed to finish the game after being ejected late in the fourth period for incurring two successive technical fouls. The Tropang Texters were in the midst of a 5-0 run with 7:35 to go – capped by a long Dilinger three-pointer - and protecting a 78-69 lead when the temperamental Alaska coach stormed into the court and berated game officials for failing to call a foul on a previous Aces play. Cardona split the two technical free throws that put Talk `N Text up by 10. – GMANews.TV