Talk N Text beat Sta. Lucia, 100-83

source: pba.ph

Talk n Text, the title holder toughened up by a heavy load of overseas training during the off-season, continued to throw its weight around in the 2009-2010 KFC Philippine Cup, ripping Sta. Lucia Realty, 100-83, at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

The Tropang Texters, working on a sleek running game, broke away in the third period and never looked back en route to a third straight win following earlier victories over Smart Gilas and Rain or Shine.

So impressive were the Texters in their first three games, winning all these matches by an average margin of 19.7 points.

Ranged against the 2007-08 Philippine Cup champions, the reigning title-holders were still up to the task notwithstanding the absence of sophomore guard-forward Jarred Dillinger.

"We rose on Jarred's absence by playing tough defense. We suffered on Sta. Lucia's awesome rebounding early on but we came out strong in the second half, making great, energetic plays," said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

"It's a nice win for us but I guess the real proof of our defensive pudding is our next game," added Reyes, referring to their showdown with San Miguel Beer Wednesday.

Dillinger sat out the game due to a sprained ankle but the Tropang Texters hardly felt his absence with the team continuing to play A-1 game together.

Mark Cardona poured in a game-high 25 points with Jason Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Nic Belasco and Ali Peek adding at least 11 points each.

Cardona and Belasco fired nine and eight, respectively, in the third period, fueling TnT's breakaway from a mere six-point lead at halftime.

Establishing control in the third, the Texters kept the pace all the way to the finish to preserve their clean slate while dealing the Realtors their first loss in three starts.

Going down the drain were the big numbers of Joseph Yeo, Nelbert Omolon, Gabby Espinas, Ryan Reyes and Kelly Williams.

Three weeks into the tourney, the Texters and the Alaska Milk Aces remained as the only teams with unblemished records.

Earlier in the day, the Aces -- runners-up to the Texters in the last Philippine Cup -- whipped the Ginebra Kings, 105-96.

Talk n Text ran and gunned at the start, taking the first period at 22-18 and the half at 48-42.

Castro, Alapag and Cardona starred for the team as it beat Sta. Lucia by 12, 16-4, on fastbreaks in the first two quarters of play.

Castro took over the game in the second period, putting in 14 on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 clip from the stripe. (SB)

The scores:

Talk n Text 100 – Cardona 25, Castro 16, Alapag 12, Belasco 12, Peek 11, Ritualo 8, De Ocampo R. 6, Carey 6, De Ocampo Y. 4, Escobal 0, Isip 0.

Sta. Lucia 83 – Yeo 17, Omolon 17, Espinas 16, Reyes 11, Williams 9, Daa 6, Urbiztondo 5, Pacana 2, Waters 0, Larong 0, Misolas 0, Aquino 0.