Texters trim Kings, remain unscathed

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text went unscathed through what was becoming a killer stretch for the team, nailing a sixth straight win at the expense of Barangay Ginebra before taking a much-needed week-long break.

The Tropang Texters and efficient import Richard Howell came through with another remarkable double-edged performance, drubbing the Gin Kings, 94-87, to keep a perfect mark with three games left in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

With a 6-0 win-loss record, the Texters are assured of at least a spot in the best-of-three quarterfinals. Another win could well guarantee the team of a playoff for a Top Two finish.

“We’ll now enjoy seven days off. I’m happy to take the break with these wins,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black, whose team played the most number of games since the mid-season tourney started on March 5.

“(But we still have) no room to relax. San Mig Coffee has not lost yet and San Miguel Beer has lost just once. We have to continue winning. We have to continue concentrating to get the wins that will give us twice-to-beat (advantage in the quarters),” Black added.

Ranidel de Ocampo scattered 28 points while Howell snared 23 rebounds and fired 19 points as the Tropang Texters dominated Leon Rodgers and the Kings, thus relegating Ginebra to joint fifth with Air21 and Alaska Milk at 2-3.

“We had another good balance offensively with Ranidel leading the way. But the key really was our defensive execution. We got the ball out of the hands of LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa,” said Black.

Earlier in the day, Brian Butch came through with a monster performance with his job on the line, propelling Meralco to an amazing come-from-behind 109-98 win over Air21.

Butch put in 40 points and a PBA nine-year best of 31 rebounds, the bulk of which he delivered in an incredible finish that wiped out Meralco’s 20-point deficit and carried the Bolts to a third win in five games.

The 6-foot-10 Meralco import poured in 21 and Jarred Dillinger 13 as the Bolts made an epic turnaround in the fourth quarter, pounding the Express and debuting import Wesley Witherspoon, 41-12.