Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier knocked in successive threes in the closing minutes as Talk ‘N
Text scrambled for a 106-102 victory past Barako Bull in their 2010-11 PBA Philippine Cup rematch
Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alapag poured in 33 points -- his most productive game since recording a career-best 39 points in a
108-102 Christmas Day loss to Barangay Ginebra in 2004 -- and had 10 assists for his first
conference double-double to show the way for the Tropang Texters, who bounced back from a 93-88 loss
against San Miguel Beer last Nov. 17.

Talk 'N Text trailed 86-90 after Bruce Viray drilled in a three-pointer for Barako Bull but the
Tropang Texters held the Energy Boosters scoreless in the next two minutes to take the lead for good
on two free throws by Jared Dillinger with 5:15 remaining in the fourth.

“Everytime we play Barako Bull its always a struggle,” said Talk 'N Text assistant coach Nash
Racela, who called the shots for the second straight game because head coach Chot Reyes is assisting
Smart Gilas-Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman in the Asian Games.

“This is a lesson for us going into our next games especially as we build for the playoffs. We
can’t take any team lightly,” Racela said.

Ryan Reyes scored 17 points while Dillinger and Harvey Carey had 11 points apiece for the Tropang
Texters, who improved to a 7-3 win-loss record.

Reed Juntilla also finished with a career second-best output, finishing with 28 points off the
bench to lead a fine performance by Barako Bull’s reserves even as Mark Isip and Paolo Hubalde
turned in double-double efforts that went for naught as the Energy Boosters picked up their sixth
consecutive defeat.

Isip turned in 17 points and 10 rebounds and Hubalde added 13 and a career-high 10 assists.

Sunday Salvacion limped out midway in the second quarter after hurting his left ankle on a bad fall
off a rebound play. He didn’t return the rest of the game and was scoreless in eight minutes.

Barako Bull posted the game’s biggest lead at 22-14 on successive baskets by Juntilla and Viray
but poor defensive rotation allowed the Tropang Texters to made a run in the second quarter and take
a 50-48 lead at halftime. (DBC)

The scores:

Talk ‘N Text 106 - Alapag 33, Reyes 17, Dillinger 11, Carey 11, Fonacier 10, Peek 9, Alvarez 6,
Castro 5, Aban 4, Oreta 0, Lao 0, Telan 0.

Barako Bull 102 - Juntilla 28, Isip 17, Hubalde 13, Alonzo 11, Yee 10, Viray 9, Daa 5, Bono 4,
Hermida 3, Dimaunahan 2, Cruz 2, Salvacion 0, Misolas 0.

Quarterscores: 23-28, 50-48, 76-79, 106-102