Talk ‘N Text beats Red Bull, 106-98, takes 2-1 lead in series

The Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals turned a close fight into an easy victory after it cruised past the Red Bull Barakos, 106-98, posting a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven semifinals encounter at the Talk ‘N Text-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum. Once again, former La Salle stand-out Mac-Mac Cardona was adjudged as the game’s ‘Player Na Walang Katulad’ after he registered 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, for his team. Cardona's presence was felt during the third canto after he scored 11 big points when the Pals made a crucial run. Down by just two points after the half at 54-52, Talk ‘N Text uncorked a mind-boggling 34-14 run during the 3rd quarter to erect an 18 point lead, 86-68, entering the final canto. So dominant was the Pals’ offense that they shot a terrific 56 percent during the 3rd period compared to 21 percent for Red Bull. The Pals also had more offensive rebounds with 18 compared to the Bull’s 9. But the Barakos' will not go down without a fight. The Barakos,’ although missing the services of import James Penny due to five fouls with still nine minutes left in the 4th, then unleashed a blistering 19-10 run courtesy of the outside and inside shooting of guard Junthy Valenzuela, 6-6 center Leo Najorda and defensive specialist Don Camso, to cut the deficit to just nine points, 96-87, with 5:23 left in the 4th. However, a mild 5-2 run by Cardona and Sullinger up the Pals’ lead to 12 points, 101-89 with three minutes left in the fourth period. Talk ‘N Text was still leading by 11 with 2:23 left, when Valenzuela hit another three-point basket to trim the deficit to eight points, but the Bulls could not get closer than that as the Pals just milked the clocked entering the two minutes of the game with timely offensive rebounds, on their way to the victory. Aside from Cardona, Talk ‘N Text import JJ Sullinger was also big for the Pals' side after he scored 31 points and 10 rebounds (7/11 free throws). Anthony “Jay" Washington and giant Harvey Carey were also big for the Talk ‘N Text side after the two contributed 15 points, six rebounds and two assists, and 10 points and nine rebounds, respectively. Red Bull, meanwhile, was led by Valenzuela with his 22 points on 5 out of 5 three-point shooting and Najorda’s 16 points, mostly coming from the 2nd half. Penny, on the other hand, was just limited to 15 points, Game 4 of the Talk ‘N Text-Red Bull series will be played this coming Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, the Game 3 match-up between San Miguel and the Alaska is still playing played as of press time. Alaska is up 2-0 in the best-of-seven semifinals encounter. Quarterscores: 24-31, 54-52, 68-86, 106-98 - GMANews.TV