Over time, Texters outlast Aces

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text returned from a lethargic game the last time with explosive performances from the backcourt tandem of Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag, beating Alaska Milk, 114-111, in an overtime shootout last night in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Castro scattered a career-high 33 points on an 11-of-22 field shooting and Alapag added 20 as the Texters recovered from a sluggish showing against the Petron Blaze Boosters Saturday where they made just 63 points.

Castro and Alapag played tough almost throughout with Larry Fonacier and Harvey Carey providing big help as the Texters notched a second win in three starts in the tourney.

“I feel great especially after we really struggled the last game against Petron and knowing this game would also be tough for us,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“We’ve been struggling trying to get our rhythm back. We’ll take this victory tonight, enjoy it and prepare for Globalport,” Black added.

Aldrech Ramos also put in a career best of 20 markers but missed two charities that could have pushed Alaska ahead in a crucial moment in regulation play.

With seven players scoring in double figures, the Aces kept fighting back but went down with a third loss against a lone win in the end.

The furious match went to overtime as Jason Castro muffed a drive in the dying seconds of regulation. Harvey Carey tipped in Castro’s miss a fraction of a second late.

Jayvee Casio forged the 103-deadlock with a booming triple with 17 ticks left.

Earlier, Sean Anthony and Castro combined for a four-point binge inside the last three seconds as the Texters led by two, 50-48, at the turn.

After Anthony knocked in two charities off a foul by Sam Eman, the Aces turned the ball over in an inbound play, paving the way for a Castro jumper at the buzzer.

Cyrus Baguio also had his buzzer-beaters to close the opening period and the third quarter.

The Aces trailed, 24-28, after 12 minutes and, 74-75, after the third frame.

The Texters set the pace most of the first half before Gabby Espinas, RJ Jazul and Casio scored nine unanswered points pushing the Aces ahead at 44-42.

Sluggish were the Aces at the start with Calvin Abueva causing some distractions, falling into foul-trouble situation early on unnecessary bumps on Anthony. He picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in the third period and fouled out with 7:52 left to play.

Larry Fonacier, who was 0-of-9 from beyond the arc in their first two games, drained his first three-point attempt in this game and piled up 14 points just in the first half.

Challenged by Terrence Romeo’s charge early in the fourth quarter, Mark Caguioa took over the game in the crunch as Barangay Ginebra withstood the gritty Globalport side, 109-104, for a third straight win later in the night.

Caguioa poured 14 of his 29 points in the last three minutes of play and the Kings overcame the Batang Pier’s furious fightback from 19 points down.

“Pwede ba tayong magpasapaw, eh mas mayabang tayo roon,” said Caguioa after the game.