AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan
The Tropang Texters fashioned out a 93-79 victory over the Aces in a heated affair at the SM Mall of Asia to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.
Kelly Williams had 23 points and nine rebounds, while Larry Fonacier scored 21 points to lead Talk ‘N Text, which had to survive a highly-physical contest that saw a couple of ejections and hard fouls.
“I thought our defense was much better today,” said Tropang Texters coach Norman Black. “I thought my guys executed well, both offensively and defensively.”
Black deflected questions about the game’s officiating, which drew numerous boos from the pro-Alaska crowd. In one sequence, the referees called a technical foul to eject Gabby Espinas, before changing the call to a flagrant foul penalty one.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo gave credit to Talk ‘N Text after the game. “They outhustled us. Give them credit,” he said.
But he still had issues with the calls during the game, as his squad seemed to get the short end of the stick when it came to ejections. Calvin Abueva was thrown out after a flagrant foul penalty one and a technical foul, while Cyrus Baguio was ejected after a flagrant foul penalty two on Jayson Castro.
“You look for consistency,” said Trillo about the referees. “You hear the fans and you hear the crowd [booing].”
Alaska’s Game Two heroes, Abueva and JVee Casio, both struggled from the field. Casio scored just seven points on 2-of-9 shooting, while Abueva was held to four points, making just 1-of-7 shots. Sonny Thoss led the charge for the Aces with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 93 – Williams 23, Fonacier 21, De Ocampo 12, Carey 7, Dillinger 6, Castro 6, Reyes 5, Alapag 4, Peek 4, Raymundo 3, Aban 2, Gamalinda 0, Alvarez 0.
ALASKA 79 – Thoss 17, Baguio 13, Jazul 11, Baracael 11, Casio 7, Espinas 6, Abueva 4, Reyes 4, Dela Cruz 2, Hontiveros 2, Belasco 2, Eman 0.
Quarters: 14-19, 39-34, 69-57, 93-79
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