The Thunder displayed the form that stunned the fancied San Miguel squad for the Commissioner’s Cup crown as they totally outclassed the erstwhile unbeaten Phone Pals for their second straight win following back-to-back losses to the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the Pop Cola Panthers.
Curiously, Red Bull made it 3-for-3 versus Talk N Text in their head-on collision this year. The Photokina franchise remained the only team which the Piltel ballclub has yet to beat this season.
With the win, Red Bull drew level with San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and Shell at fourth place while Talk N Text, with its first loss in five starts, slid to second place, leaving Sta. Lucia alone at the helm with a 4-0 card.
The Realtors hope to keep their unblemished record and at the same time firm up their hold of the lead when they play the Alaska Aces at the resumption of action at the Ynares Center in Antipolo today.
With practically all the Thunder in their element, Red Bull dominated the show in the Air Philippines-backed out-of-town game, leading from start to finish.
Ray Tutt, Davonn Harp, Jimwell Torion, Willie and Mick Pennisi all pumped in 10 points or more for the Thunder who started with a 12-2 run and never let up on the way to posting the decisive victory.
Tutt couldn’t match the 43-point explosion of Brandon Williams but he proved more effective in playing alongside his teammates, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Then there’s Harp who more than held his own against Asi Taulava, coming up with a near triple-double game with 19 points and nine rebounds. Torion showed up all the defenders thrown at him by Talk N Text coach Louie Alas, logging 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Williams had another 40-point game while adding 10 rebounds. He wound up with a curious triple-double as he committed 11 turnovers.
The Thunder put up a good job on both ends of the court, shooting 53 percent from the floor while limiting the Phone Pals to only seven assists while making 20 of their own.