Texters thwart B Pier, firm up twice-to-beat

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Alaska

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Talk N Text, drawing superb games from Jayson Castro and rookie Troy Rosario, repulsed Globalport, 107-96, to get back in the chase for a Top Six spot in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Castro, the reigning Asia best guard, stood his ground against Stanley Pringle while Rosario held his own against veteran rivals as the Tropang Texters stopped the Batang Pier and stayed in the fight for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

“We’re trying to get the twice-to-beat, and we needed to win this game to be able to get a shot at it,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico.

The Texters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings, now tied at fifth and sixth with 6-4 win-loss cards, automatically clinch the “win-once edge” in the first stage of the two-phase quarters if Barako Bull (5-5) loses its game against Alaska Milk at 3 p.m. today.

The Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Big Dome also showcases another crucial match between Rain or Shine and NLEX at 5:15 p.m.

The E-Painters and the Aces, both at 8-2, are chasing outright Final Four entry.

Barako Bull grabs fifth spot if they beat the Aces. In that scenario, the Texters and the Gin Kings figure in a virtual playoff battle tomorrow at the MOA Arena for sixth spot.

“We got the game that we needed to win against Globalport. Now, we’ll wait for the result of the Barako Bull-Alaska match,” said Uichico.

With their four-game streak snapped by the Texters, the Batang Pier settled for an elims closing mark of 7-4.

Largely behind the exploits of Castro and Rosario, the Texters pummeled the Batang Pier in the middle quarters and went on to bounce back from an 84-97 loss to the San Miguel Beermen the last time out.

Castro collected 25 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals while Rosario logged 19 markers, seven boards and three dole-outs as they stepped up in the absence of the injury-hit Moala Tautuaa (back spasm).

TNT enjoyed some balance with Aaron Aban, Harvey Carey, Larry Fonacier, Danny Seigle chipping in nine points apiece while Kelly Williams contributed seven markers.

The Texters made a big push in the second and third quarters as they wiped out a nine-point deficit in the opening period and led by 14 (83-69), going into the payoff canto.

They pounced on the Batang Pier, 38-22, in the second quarter and pressed the attack in the next period to lead by as many as 19 at 65-46.

Going down the drain was Globalport’s awesome 17-of-38 three-point clip.

Later in the night, Peter June Simon, scoreless in the previous game, fired away a personal conference high of 26 points as Star drubbed Blackwater, 102-89, to finally secure a quarterfinals slot.

With the Hotshots finishing with a 4-7 slate, the Elite (2-8) and the Mahindra Enforcers (2-8) are left to dispute the last quarters berth in a do-or-die game tomorrow.

The scores: 

First Game

TNT 107 – Castro 25, Rosario 19, Aban 9, Carey 9, Fonacier 9, Seigle 9, Williams 7, Rosser 6, Reyes R. 6, Reyes J. 5, Miranda 3, Rodriguez 0. 

GLOBALPORT 96 – Pringle 24, Romeo 24, Yeo 14, Semerad 9, Jensen 8, Mamaril 6, Kramer 5, Maierhofer 4, Washington 2, Isip 0, Paniamogan 0, Peña 0, Uyloan 0, Sumang 0.

Quarterscores: 15-22, 53-44, 83-69, 107-96

Second Game

STAR 102 – Simon 26, Maliksi 13, Pingris 12, Barroca 11, Mallari 11, Taha 8, Yap 6, Melton 4, Sangalang 4, Reavis 3, Cruz 2, Torres 2.

BLACKWATER 89 – Lastimosa 18, Dela Cruz 17, Gamalinda 11, Cortez 10, Erram 10, Cervantes 9, Golla 8, Reyes 6, Ballesteros 0, Canada 0, Melano 0.

Quarterscores: 25-25, 52-42, 78-72, 102-89