Nats scrape through

Asi Taulava pulled down one big offensive rebound and scored on a follow-up with 3.1 seconds left in the contest as RP-Selecta beat Talk ’N Text, 77-76, in overtime for its second straight win in the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome last night.

The Phone Pals were on their way to a fourth successive victory in the extra period of the thrilling encounter but Taulava rescued the Nationals with that crucial putback for the win.

Vic Pablo pushed Talk ’N Text ahead, 76-75, on a follow-up of an Elmer Lago missed baseline jumper with time down to 18 seconds.

The Phone Pals put a good defensive effort in the ensuing play, forcing Danny Seigle to fumble a fallaway shot. But Taulava grabbed the rebound and scored unchallenged underneath as the Nationals took the win that improved their win-loss record to 2-1.

Earlier, the Phone Pals gained a rallying point as coach Bill Bayno was ejected from the court on technical fouls midway through the fourth quarter, fighting back from an eight-point deficit to force the overtime.

Jerald Honeycutt beat the buzzer with a three-pointer off Taulava sending the game into extra period at 71-all.

So tight and resolute the defense thrown by the two teams that they could only scrape for a combined total of 65 points in the first half.

The Nationals employed an efficient help defense, holding Honeycutt to only seven points as they took a 36-29 halftime lead.