Texters jump the gun on Gin Kings

Talk `N Text jumped the gun on Barangay Ginebra before surviving a second half comeback by the PBA’s most popular ballclub in a 107-92 win at the start of their Philippine Cup quarterfinals series Friday at the Araneta Coliseum. Jimmy Alapag did the most damage for the Tropang Texters early on, after which the defending champions leaned on Jason Castro, Harvey Carey and Mac Cardona to put away for good a tough-to-crack Barangay Ginebra side.

Castro had a team-high 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Alapag scored 14 of his 19 in the opening half for the Tropang Texters, who now lead the best-of-five series at 1-0. Game 2 is set Sunday also at the Big Dome. JC Intal finished with 19 points and Enrico Villanueva added 16 for the Kings, who trailed by as many as 53-31 with three minutes to go before the half following a long three-pointer by Alapag. But Intal, Villanueva and Cyrus Baguio (12 points) willed the crowd favorites back into the game, unleashing a 13-9 exchange as Cruz converted an easy lay up off his steal off Alapag to make it an 89-84 game with eight minutes to go. Showing the composure of a champion, the Tropang Texters, however, clustered together a run of their own to finally take the fight out of the Kings. Alapag was extra-hot in the opening half by going 4-of-4 from downtown, the last of which gave the Tropang Texters a huge 19-point lead (57-38) at the break. Willie Wilson carried the fight for the Kings during that stretch, scoring 10 of his 11 points. Compounding Ginebra’s woes was the lack of offense from Ronald Tubid and Eric Menk, who finished with just two apiece. - GMANews.TV