i TV Pinoy

Source: gmanews.tv
-- Jimmy Alapag hit a dagger trey to help Talk `N Text hold off Sta. Lucia, 117-112 Wednesday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

The big three-pointer by the Tropang Texters’ guard came like a rain in the middle of the desert for the team, which was protecting a slim 110-107 lead with 40 seconds left in the game.

MacMac Cardona, whose 34 points led all Talk`N Text scorers, then clinched the win with two free throws 20 seconds later, 115-109.

Winning their second game in a row and last for the year 2009, the Tropang Texters remain in solo third at 10-5. More important, they continue to cling to their slim chances of snaring one of two outright semifinals berth at stake in the All-Filipino tournament.

“We just want to play and win and not mind the standings of the other teams," said Cardona, who already had 16 points in the first half.

Sta. Lucia lost to Talk `N Text for the second time this conference and fell to 7-6.

The loss put to naught the career-high 32 points of guard Ryan Reyes, who also had 12 rebounds.

Reyes’ long two-pointer in the last 30 seconds allowed the Realtors to close in for the last time, 109-113.

But forced to stop the clock, Sta. Lucia fouled and sent Cardona to the line, and the high-scoring Talk `N Text guard responded by sinking both free throws to wrap up the game.

The Tropang Texters trailed by as many as 10 early in the first half, but made a strong run in the second quarter to tie it at 52, two minutes before halftime.

Then pouncing on the Realtors’ maze of errors, Cardona and the Tropang Texters closed out the half with a big 8-0 blast to take with them a 60-52 lead at the half.