
Texters spoil E-Painters’ debut with win
PASSI, Iloilo -- A new import, a new hope for Talk N Text.
Talk N Text unveiled a new import in Marqus Blakey to bring down debuting Rain or Shine, 110-104, in the PBA Governor’s Cup out-of-town encounter here Saturday.

Blakely turned out to be what the Tropang Texters needed to get back on the winning track while spoiling the debut of the Elasto Painters in this season-ending tournament.
Blakely, who previously played for Purefoods, finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 39 minutes of action to help the Texters overcome the challenge of the E-Painters.
Troy Rosario added 24 points, inclduing six three-point shots, while Terrence Romeo contributed 22 points, five rebounds and five assists for Talk N Text, whichimproved to 3-4.
J-Nathan Bullock had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists and James Yap added 21 points for Rain or Shine, which fell behind by several doubel-digit deficits before coming back strong to make the game interesting.
Meanwhile, unbeaten Magnolia battles Phoenix and defending champion Barangay Ginebra meets San Miguel Beer in a pair of explosive matches today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots gun for their third straight win when they meet the Fuel Masters in the 4:30 p.m. encounter.
“Defensively, we have to be ready for everybody because right now everybody steps up on their game,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose Hotshots plunge into action after a long break.
Both the Hotshots and the Fuel Masters are coming off back-to-back wins, but Victolero reminded his players to keep their focus because this will be only their first game since their 104-87 win over winless NorthPort last Sept 1, or a few days before the league took a long break to give way to the FIBA 2019 World Cup Qualifiers.
“Coming from a long break, we need to start strong. We experienced this last conference and we hope we learned from that,” said Victolero, who recalled a similar situation in the last Commissioner’s Cup.
“Phoenix was playing very well lately, we need to be sharp and focus for 48 minutes. And we also expect a very physical game,” added Victolero.
The Louie Alas-mentored Fuel Masters have also won their last two outings -- 96-86 vs Meralco last Sept 19 and 112-82 against Talk ‘N Text last Aug. 31.
The scores:
Talk N Text (110) -- Blakely 26, Rosario 24, Romeo 22, Pogoy 14, Garcia 6, Williams 6, Cruz 5, Carey 4, Trollano 3, Reyes 0, Semerad 0.
Rain or Shine (104) -- Bullock 23, Yap 21, Norwood 12, Torres 9, Almazan 8, Belga 6, Ponferada 6, Onwubere 4, Tiu 4, Nambatac 3, Daquioag 3, Maiquez 2, Borboran 2, Casiño 0.
Quarterscores: 18-23, 45-49, 89-78, 110-104.
Ed Andaya