Texters sweep past Enforcers

MANILA, Philippines - Jayson Castro put on display his form as the reigning FIBA Asia best guard while Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario finally showed the stuffs that made them the top draft choices as TNT warded off the gritty Mahindra team, 101-97, for its first win in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay last night.

Castro piled up 28 points while Tautuaa and Rosario each scored 12 points and combined for 11 rebounds as the Tropang Texters sprang back from a losing season-debut versus the Alaska Milk Aces, chalking up a first win in PBA Season 41 even in the absence of the injury-stricken Gilas veteran Ranidel de Ocampo.

Later in the night, Barako Bull also barged into the win column via a mind-boggling 82-79 triumph over Barangay Ginebra.

The Energy scored the biggest upset win thus far in the season, charging back from an early 21-point deficit and holding off the Gin Kings’ own fightback at the finish.

A team composed mostly of former Ginebra players, Barako Bull pulled off the big win on sheer heart and gutsy plays of JC Intal, RR Garcia, Chico Lanete, Mick Pennisi, Willy Wilson, Mac Baracael and Eman Monfort. All except Garcia had been former Gin Kings.

Barako negated Greg Slaughter’s monster game with 27 points and 26 rebounds, with Ginebra reeling with a second loss in as many outings under coach Tim Cone.

The Texters outlasted the Enforcers in an exciting, seesawing duel, handing Mahindra a second straight loss following an earlier defeat at the hands of Rain or Shine.

But TNT coach Jong Uichico played down their victory, saying: “We’re not where we should be and we’re not where I want the team to be. We have a long way to go.”

“My absence (during the offseason) was partly to blame. But it’s Gilas, and I had to sacrifice (time with TNT) to be with Gilas,” said Uichico, among coach Tab Baldwin’s deputies with the national team.

With their own stints with the national pool, Tautuaa and Rosario took a second game to make an impact in the pro league.

“The rookies still lack decision-making, but they’ll get that as they keep on playing. You have to give them playing time to be more mature,” said Uichico.

In their 98-114 rout by the Aces, Tautuaa and Rosario, the first and the second selections in the last Rookie Draft, bled for a combined output of measly six points.

Tautuaa was determined to show his real worth last night, coming out strong with a seven-point first-quarter output highlighted by a three-point play and a thunderous jam.

Rosario, meanwhile, put in significant help in the homestretch as they overcame Mahindra’s gutsy stand anchored by LA Revilla, rookie center Bradwyn Guinto and trade acquisitions KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos.

Revilla and Guinto logged in 21 and 17 points to pace the Enforcers who drew 25 points from Canaleta and Ramos, the two players Mahindra acquired in giving away Rosario.

Conspicuously missing on the Mahindra bench last night were playing coach Manny Pacquiao and ace two-guard Karl Dehesa (down with a fever).