
Texters strike
Games Wednesday:
(Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. -- Columbian vs. Magnolia
7 p.m. -- Rain or Shine vs. Alaska
IT WAS a comeback of all comebacks for Talk N Text and import Marqus Blakely.
Blakely hit a tie-breaking driving layup with 6.8 seconds left as Talk N Text rallied from the depth of a huge 23-point deficit to subdue NorthPort, 104-102, in the PBA Governor’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blakely’s heroics capped a dramatic comeback by the Tropang Texters, who rallied from 37-60 hole late in the second quarter and 71-87 deficit after the third quarter to complete stunning turnaround before a shocked weekend crowd.
“Wala namang sikreto. It’s working hard lang talaga. Ang importante, ma-sustain ng team ‘yung energy namin all throughout the game,” said Talk N Text coach Bong Ravena, who led the Texters to their thid straight win and fourth overall in eight outings.
For Batang Pier, it was a familiar sorry ending Before their sixth straight setback to Talk N Text, Northport also lost to NLEX (107-123)last Aug.19; Phoenix Petroleum (91-132) last Aug. 26’ Magnolia Pambansang Manok (87-104) last Sept. 1; Barangay Ginebra (98-104 ) last Sept. 5; and Blackwater (111-113) last Sept. 19.
Terrence Romeo, who was traded by NorthPort to Talk N Text in exchange for Mo Tautuaa, led the Texters with 25 points, eight assists and three steals in 30 minutes on the floor.
Romeo highlighted his offensive game with 6-of-9 shooting from the three-point range.
Blakely added 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 11 rebounds, and four assists.
Import Rashad Woods finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds and Stanley Pringle added 18 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Batang Pier.
Tautuaa and Jonathan Grey also had big games with 18 points apiece.
Sean Anthony had 15 markers.
Actually, Talk N Text made 35-of-90 attempts for only 38 percent compared to Northport’s 34-of-76 shooting for 44 percent.
The Texters also converted on 15-of-47 shooting from the rianbow territory -- six of them by Romeo.
The Batan gPier, on the other had, were slightly better with 12-of-29 for 44 percent.
The texters had more steals, 13-0, and more blocks, 7-4, while committing less turnovers, 16-23, than the Batang Pier.
Both teams have identical 54 rebounds.
The season-ending tournament resumes with another regular doubleheader on Wednesday with Magnolia taking on Columbina at 4:30 p.m. and Alaska battling Rain or Shine at 7 p.m.
The scores:
First game
Talk N Text ( 104) --Romeo 25, Blakely 23, Rosario 12, Cruz 11, Pogoy 10, Trollano 7, Garcia 6, Reyes 3, Carey 2.
NorthPort (102) -- Woods 19, Pringle 18, Tautuaa 18, Grey 18, Anthony 15, Javelona 9, Taha 4, Guinto 1, Elorde 0, Arana 0, Espinas 0, Fortuna.
Quarterscores: 21-32, 43-66, 71-87, 104-102.