Jimmy Alapag sets up the play while guarded by Alex Cabagnot.
VICTORIAS, Negros Occidental – The series opener belonged to the team that fought tenaciously all
night.
Talk n Text played tough throughout, outfighting San Miguel Beer in the crunch for a 91-82 win in
Game One of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven showdown at the Victorias City Sports and
Amusement Center here Saturday night.
“All it means is a one-zero lead,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes, stressing the battle has
just begun.
“It’s far from over. We have to be ready to play as many games necessary,” Reyes added.
Game Two is Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Saving its best for last, the Texters opened with a nine-to-nothing run in the payoff period and
completed a stirring come-from-behind win in the series opener watched by a sellout crowd in the
venue located in the heart of Negros.
Ryan Reyes churned out a remarkable game dedicated to young brother Allan Raymond who died in a car
accident in the United States only last Wednesday.
Jay Washington, meanwhile, suffered cramps in the second half and the Beermen crumbled down with
their top forward on the bench.
“Iyak ng iyak yan (Reyes) on our way here (Negros). But he still dished out a solid game and what
he showed is so inspiring,” said the Talk n Text coach.
“Nagkatalo sa fourth quarter. We lost our poise and composure,” rued SMB coach Ato Agustin.
The Tropang Texters played catch-up basketball most of the first three quarters before pouring all
they’d got in the payoff period to gain the head start in the series.
It was a team effort, enabling Talk n Text to overcome two nine-point deficits in the second
period.
Reyes, driven by a desire to put a good game for his departed brother, logged 13 points, four
rebounds, four assists and two steals in 26 minutes of action.
“We don’t know what his plans are. But whatever it is, we’ll support him,” said Reyes,
adding his player can rush to the US to pay his brother the last respect.
Jason Castro and Harvey Carey played well off the bench as they’ve been doing all tournament
long, putting in 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Jarred Dillinger, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag were also on top of their game as the Texters
beat the Beermen in a game marred by hard fouls early on.
Players had to be restrained early with game officials summoning team skippers Olsen Racela and
Alapag at center court midway through the second period.
A man on a mission, Washington worked so hard early that he appeared a spent force by the half.
Cramping, Washington was only able to play nine minutes in the second half.
He sat out the entire third period, being attended to by the SMB physical therapist on the bench.
Nonetheless, the do-it-all SMB forward led the team with 14 points.
Washington headed to the bench for good with still 1:38 left to play and his team down by eight at
80-88.
A passing error by Alex Cabagnot on Dondon Hontiveros on the ensuing play all but settled the
outcome of the game.
San Miguel opened two nine-point spreads in the second quarter but Talk n Text came through with a
9-2 closing run to narrow the gap to two, 44-46, at halftime.
Castro made eight points in the first half, including a twisting layup off Washington at the
buzzer.
Ali Peek had his own buzzer-beater to close the third period ending at 68-67 with SMB still on top.
As expected, the two teams engaged in bruising actions from the start.
It was a nip-and-tuck battle in the first 18 minutes with no team leading by more than four. (SB)
The scores:
Talk n Text 91 – Castro 16, Reyes 13, Carey 12, Dillinger 10, Alapag 9, De Ocampo 9, Peek 7,
Williams 7, Fonacier 4, Aban 4.
San Miguel 82 – Washington 14, Santos 13, Seigle 13, Hontiveros 9, Cabagnot 9, Ildefonso 6,
Artadi 6, Yeo 4, Miranda 4, Pennisi 2, Pena 2, Salvacion 0.
Quarterscores: 19-20, 44-46, 67-68, 91-82.(PBA REPORT)
Alex Cabagnot in a tight defense by Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag.
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