LOS ANGELES, United States – The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters made up for their disappointing loss to the San Miguel Beermen with an impressive victory over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 107-96, on Friday, December 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Led by veteran Jayson Castro and rising rookie star Troy Rosario, Talk ’N Text erased a 7-point deficit at the end of one period with a dominant 38-point second quarter which helped them take control of the game.
Castro dropped 25 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Rosario scored in double-figures for the sixth straight game after posting 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, plus 3 triples.
As a team, Talk ’N Text shot 46% from the floor and 37% from downtown, plus out-rebounded GlobalPort 51-44, leading to 16 second chance points. The Tropang Texters were also dominant in the paint, recording 44 points as well as converting 27 points off turnovers.
The win improved Talk ’N Text’s record to 6-4, putting them in a tie for fifth place with Barangay Ginebra, whom they face next to end the elimination round.
Global Port finished their eliminations at 7-4, putting them at fourth place which is good for a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.
Larry Fonacier and Harvey Carey each finished with 9 points for Talk ’N Text, who forced 22 GlobalPort turnovers to make up for the Batang Pier’s 47% shooting from the field.
The Batang Pier were also vastly out-shot at the foul line, where TNT went 18-of-27 while they went 3-of-6.
Stanley Pringle led GlobalPort with 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Romeo also had 24 points to go with 3 rebounds. Joseph Yeo posted 14 points, 5 boards, and 3 dimes off the bench.
Talk ’N Text (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 7, Mamaril 6, Kramer 6, Maierhofer 4, Washington 2, Isip 0, Paniamogan 0, Pena 0, Uyloan 0, Sumang 0.
Quarter scores: 15-22, 53-44, 83-69, 107-96 – Rappler.com