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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Talk ‘N Text toppled Barangay Ginebra, 87-72, to bounce back from a sorry loss Wednesday night in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jared Dillinger finished with 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds to lead the Tropang Texters to their 5th win against 3 losses while handing the Kings their first back-to-back losses in the tournament.

Jason Castro and Mark Cardona each had 11 points for Talk ‘N Text, which was coming off a heart-breaking 106-110 loss to league-leading Alaska.

“We thought if we can win our last two games, having 6-3 is a just one game behind the second placer and it’s the place we want to be right now after the first round,” said Tropang Texters mentor Chot Reyes.

“But we also got a break with Jayjay (Helterbrand) not playing and I told the players to take advantage of that,” he added.

Ginebra did not only have Helterbrand in the game but also lost point guard Celino Cruz in the first half due to injury. He was suspected to have broken his left wrist and was taken to a nearby hospital.

The Kings actually took a 47-46 lead when the defending champion scored the next 14 points to seize control of the game, 60-49 with 3:40 left in the third.

Renren Ritualo’s back-to-back baskets gave Talk ‘N Text a 75-62 cushion. Though Ginebra managed to trim the margin to 66-75, the Tropang Texters only needed a 6-0 burst to put the game out of reach, 81-66, under 5 minutes remaining.

Ronald Tubid led the Kings with 21 points while JC Intal was the only other Ginebra player who posted double figures with 11.

Painters notch second win

Rain or Shine shook off a 12-point halftime deficit and turned back Coca-Cola, 92-84, to end its first-round campaign on a winning note.

Solomon Mercado poured 22 of his 24 points in the second half to lead Rain or Shine in improving its win-loss mark to 2-7.

Mercado added 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals in his best performance yet in the tournament.

“I talked to him yesterday that if he wants to get more minutes, he has to play consistent and tonight he stepped up,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia who also drew 16 points from Jeff Chan.

“With this win, it gives us confidence going into the next round. We’re in good shape and I think my players are still capable of winning more games,” he added.

Eddie Laure added 11 points for the Elasto Painters, whose only other win was against league-leading Alaska, 86-81.

Rain or Shine was in the brink of another defeat Wednesday night as Coke ended the first half with a 15-2 run to carry a 48-36 advantage into the second half.

But the Elasto Painters outscored the Tigers in the third, 24-10, for a 60-58 edge, and unleashed a 22-9 exchange capped by TY Tang’s three-pointer for their biggest lead at 82-67 with 5:53 remaining.

The Tigers, behind Alex Cabagnot and Larry Rodriguez, responded with their own 13-3 run to slice the lead to 85-80, 2:06 minutes remaining.

Mercado delivered the dagger with a nifty pass on Gabe Norwood for a slam, 87-80. Cabagnot hit three straight free throws but Mercado sealed the victory with jumper, 89-83, 28.2 ticks remaining.

Mark Macapagal led the Tigers with 16 points while Rodriguez added 15 and 13 boards. Cabagnot had 13 points for Coke, which slipped down in the team standings with 1-7 slate.