Tropang Texters rout shorthanded Kings

Talk ‘N Text took advantage of Barangay Ginebra’s depleted backcourt and ran away with an 87-72 win Wednesday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. Jared Dillinger, Mac Cardona and Jason Castro took turns in pounding the Kings’ injury-riddled lineup that now has JayJay Helterbrand and Celino Cruz as new additions.

Helterbrand, the reigning league MVP, did not suit up for the crowd darlings with a bruised knee, while Cruz played for only a few minutes before going out near the end of the first half with a fractured left hand. The two joined Mark Caguioa in the sidelines as Barangay Ginebra’s main man is still recuperating from his old knee injury. Tropang Texters’ coach Chot Reyes admitted the loss of Helterbrand – and Cruz – was a big relief to his team notching its fifth win in eight outings for a three-way fight at third place together with its victim and Sta. Lucia Realty. "We got a break when Jayjay (Helterbrand) couldn't play. We talked about using Jayjay's absence as an advantage," Reyes said. Dillinger lead Talk `N Text’s cause with 18 points and a personal career-high 18 rebounds (10 defensive, eight offensive), while Castro and Cardona had 11 each. “Malaking bagay `yung wala sa kanila si JayJay and Mark Caguioa," added Reyes. “Good for at least 50 points `yung dalawa." The Kings, who suffered their second straight loss, were forced once again to suit Johnny Abarrientos in the absence of three key players in the backcourt. The 1996 MVP finished with two points, three steals, three rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes of play in his second game for the season. But even his presence was not enough as the Tropang Texters’ went for the kill in the final two quarters after finishing the first half ahead by just three, 41-38. Castro, Ali Peek, Harvey Carey and Nic Belasco put the game away for the Tropang Texters as they took turns in scoring for Talk `N Text in the second half, where it lead by as many as 15 points. Ronald Tubid showed the way for the Kings with a game-high 21 points, while JC Intal was the only other player to finish in double figures for Ginebra with 11. - GMANews.TV