Texters spoil Sta Lucia's homecoming at old gym

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text foiled Sta. Lucia’s bid for a big homecoming at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday as the Tropang Texters clobbered the Realtors, 102-89, in the first ever PBA game held at the multi-purpose playing venue inside the sprawling Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Coach Boyet Fernandez and the Realtors had hoped to give the team a triumphant return at the NAS, site of Sta. Lucia’s several championships in the old PABL.

But the Texters had other things in mind.

The Texters fired on all cylinders almost throughout and drubbed the Realtors for their first back-to-back victories in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Talk n Text picked up from where it left off versus Alaska Milk Wednesday, notching its third win in five games overall.

“It’s nice to be back here and it’s nice to win,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes who has his fond memories of the stadium as chief tactician of Burger King also in the PABL in the early 90s.

“More important than winning two straight games is the way we’re coming together and the way we play defense and how to play with Sean Daniels. It’s important for us to put some things together,” Reyes said.

The Texters did pull one big game together as they dealt the Realtors their third straight loss and fourth in five outings overall.

So impressive were the Texters that they dominated the Realtors even as Daniels played only 22 minutes due to early fouls.

With Macmac Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jason Castro leading the assault, the Texters took control early and led by as many as 22 points, 60-38, right in the first half.

Jimmy Alapag joined Cardona and De Ocampo in making clutch baskets at the finish as the Texters held off Sta. Lucia’s comeback bid to complete the victory.

Cardona topscored with 23 points while De Ocampo had a double-double game with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Castro added 19 points, including 15 in the first half, while Alapag contributed nine.