Pals thwart Realtors

CAVITE CITY — Talk n text forced a three-way tie for the lead with a 98-92 win over Sta. Lucia Realty last night in another out-of-town game of the PBA Gran Matador Fiesta Conference at the San Sebastian Gym here.

Jimmy Alapag gave his fans a lot to cheer about as he wound up with 22 points. Import Jerald Honneycutt chipped in 18 points and former MVP Willie Miller sizzled with 16 as the Phone Pals improved to 7-4.

The Realtors carried a hot streak into the game, winning their last four assignments. But they turned cold against the Phone Pals who kept them at bay all game long and dealt them their seventh defeat in a dozen games.

With the victory, Talk N Text joined San Miguel Beer and Alaska on top of the leaderboard. The Milkmen can grab the solo lead if they beat the Coca-Cola Tigers this afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Ryan Fletcher tried but failed to carry the fight for the Realtors with his 22 points.

Alaska is the hottest team in the conference, having won six games in a row. Against tail-ender Coca-Cola, which sports a 4-6 record, they are expected to do what they do best.

The first time the two teams met this conference, the Milkmen came out the winner, 75-74, in Bogo, Cebu.

Bitter rivals Shell and Ginebra, on the other hand, square off at 6:35 p.m. and will part ways with three other teams sporting similar 5-6 records. They are Red Bull, Purefoods and FedEx.

Like the Milkmen, the Turbo Chargers are eyeing a repeat victory, having beaten the Gin Kings, 96-87, last April 13.