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| Richard Howell powered TNT past Blackwater, while Chico Lanete led Barako Bull in an upset of Ginebra. |
Game recap (adapted from InterAKTV):
TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over BLACKWATER ELITE, 88-78
Box Scores.
The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters entered the fourth quarter with a six-point deficit against expansion team Blackwater but banked on their experience to snatch a come-from-behind victory, 88-78, to make it back-to-back wins in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
Import Richard Howell had 29 points – 19 of those in the fourth quarter – alongside 21 rebounds and 5 assists, while Jayson Castro added 22 to lead Talk ‘N Text in the win.
The Tropang Texters entered the final period trailing, 66-60, but quickly unleashed a 6-0 run behind baskets from Howell and Castro to tie the game.
The game was tied at 71-all before Talk ‘N Text scored 13 unanswered points – eight of those from Howell – as they pushed ahead, 84-71, with just 4:15 left to play.
Blackwater, which brought in Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Marcus Douthit after playing their opener without an import, made a good account of themselves, taking the lead after three quarters. They could not, however, hold on to the lead as they lost a 13th consecutive game dating back to their PBA debut last conference.
Bryan Faundo led the Elite with 19 points, while Douthit finished with 14.
Line of the Game: Richard Howell (TNT) - 29pts, 21rebs, 5asts, 3stls, 2blks, 12/22 FGs.
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| Jayson Castro gets past Brian Heruela in this bit of action from the first game. |
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| Marcus Douthit debuts this season for the Elite. |
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| Richard Howell caught fire late in the game to ensure TNT's second win in a row. |
BARAKO BULL ENERGY over BGY. GINEBRA GIN KINGS, 69-68
Box Scores.
The Barako Bull Energy, led by Chico Lanete, used their running game and eventually held off a late comeback attempt from Barangay Ginebra to win, 69-68, in Biñan, Laguna.
Lanete posted 17 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals. He played a key role in a fourth quarter run that gave the Energy enough separation to eventually survive a late Ginebra charge.
JC Intal added 14 points, including four three-pointers, while import Solomon Alabi finished with 13. Big man Dave Marcelo also finished in double-figures with 11.
Ginebra was led by Greg Slaughter’s 18 and reinforcement Mike Dunigan’s 11. Neither player was able to score in the fourth quarter, though. Mark Caguioa added 10 markers.
The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 50-all, but Barako Bull jumped out to a lead of as high as eight after going on a Lanete-led run.
Ginebra closed the game with its own 9-2 spurt, but the Kings came up short after Joseph Yeo missed a shot in the dying seconds of the game.
The late minutes saw some controversial moments after Dunigan caught Barako Bull rookie Jake Pascual with an elbow, then appeared to kick Pascual’s leg. Barako Bull’s Sol Mercado charged in and had some physical contact with the Ginebra import and both had to be separated after some jawing.
The two players came away with technical fouls and the teams eventually ended the period tied at 50-apiece.
Line of the Game: Solomon Alabi (BAR) - 13pts, 20rebs, 4blks, 2stls, 1ast.
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| Chico Lanete came up big for the Energy against Ginebra. |
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| Greg Slaughter had a great game against former NBA player Solomon Alabi. |
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| JC Intal was on-target against his former team. |
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