Al-Hussaini, Castro halt Talk n Text skid

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Air21 vs Globalport

6:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs San Mig Coffee

MANILA, Philippines - Rabeh Al-Hussaini converted all of his first nine field-goal shots before he started missing, then Jason Castro took over as Talk n Text checked a two-game losing skein, turning back Barako Bull, 101-98, to gain a piece of fourth place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi, Albay last night.

Castro, sitting out precious minutes early on after committing a flagrant foul on Mick Pennisi, scored all of their last seven markers, including a three-pointer that shattered a 96-all deadlock with 1:26 left to play in the Phoenix Fuel-sponsored road game.

The 5-foot-11 guard himself stretched their lead to 101-96 on a drive before the Energy Cola made a desperate attempt to salvage the game but ran out of time.

Down by three with 1.0 second left, the Energy Cola went to Mark Macapagal who nailed a three-pointer after the time had run out. He failed to beat the buzzer as he took a fake before unleashing a shot from the right quartercourt.

The Tropang Texters, thus, caught up with the Meralco Bolts and the San Mig Coffee Mixers at fourth at 3-3 while the Energy Cola slid to seventh at 3-4.

The Texters got back on the winning track despite Donnell Harvey huffing and puffing in his return to the TnT fold. He battled cramps at the finish and wound up with only eight points.

Barako Bull counterpart Evan Brock put in bigger numbers but turned heel in the end on his woeful 4-of-13 free throws. He muffed five charities in the last two minutes.

Badly missed by the Energy Cola at the finish was Pennisi who fouled out with over eight minutes left to play.

Pennisi sizzled with five three-pointers in a hot start leading the Energy Cola to a 61-51 lead in the first half.

The 6-foot-9 forward totaled 17 points in the first 24 minutes of play, including two charities on a flagrant foul by Castro with 4:07 left in the second quarter.

Castro hit Pennisi at the back of his head, triggering a little commotion. The TnT guard was slapped flagrant foul penalty one while the Barako Bull player was assessed a technical infraction for second motion.