Texters snatch big win from jaws of disaster

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text pulled off the biggest come-from-behind win in the pro league in over a decade as it overcame an early 30-point deficit to beat Burger King, 118-105, at the Ynares Sports Center last night.

Mark Cardona unloaded a season-best 40 points that went with 11 rebounds, leading the Tropang Texters to a closing 6-3 win-loss card in the first round of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination phase.

Cardona and the rest of the Texters played an impeccable game in the last three quarters, clawing their way back from 19-49 to win the game marred by the ejection of Ranidel de Ocampo on a flagrant infraction against Chico Lanete.

The Whoppers failed to sustain the momentum of their big start and wound up with a 3-6 slate in the initial round of the elims.

Sta. Lucia also seeks a 6-3 closing record while Purefoods goes for a 5-4 mark as they clash today in the Surigao del Norte stop of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour.

“We thought it was all over after we fell behind by 30, and we just played our game. We’re surprised we’re able to get back into the game and go on to win,” said Cardona, missing by two points his career-best 42-point explosion.

Pong Escobal, Jimmy Alapag, Ali Peek and Yancy de Ocampo had key contributions as the Texters essayed the biggest come-from-behind win in the league since Purefoods erased a 29-point deficit in an 86-84 overtime win over Alaska Milk in 1999.

Failing to get anything from his key players early on, TnT coach Chot Reyes turned to Escobal who responded to the challenge, sparking a rally that shoved the Texters to within 10, 53-63, at halftime.

Escobal, TnT’s third-string guard from San Beda, fired nine points in the second period.

Cardona took over in the third quarter as the Texters stepped up their chase and surged ahead, 87-84, going into the payoff period.

And there was no stopping Talk n Text with Jason Castro and Harvey Carey joining the fray, giving the Texters a 13-point win in the end.

Cardona had a remarkable 14-of-19 shooting for his best production in the season. Alapag, Peek and De Ocampo brothers added double-digit outputs.

Gary David paced the losing team with 24 points on 11-of-14 clip while Ronjay Buenafe, Beau Belga and Carlo Sharma added 15, 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Ronald Tubid knocked in eight triples and a new career-best total of 33 points as the Barangay Ginebra Kings spoiled Bo Perasol’s debut as new Coca-Cola coach, hacking out a 113-104 victory over the Tigers in the nightcap.

Johnny Abarrientos had quality minutes playing the lead point guard role minus Jayjay Helterbrand and Celino Cruz as the Kings also closed out with a 6-3 card in the first round of the elims.

The change in the Coca-Cola coaching staff didn’t change the team’s fortunes right away. The Tigers suffered an eighth loss against a lone win.

Perasol assumed the head coaching job while Kenneth Duremdes was elevated as the team’s alternate league board representative. Duremdes is taking a little break in basketball as he vies for a seat in the South Cotabato provincial council in the coming elections.