The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters put an end to the Barako Bull Energy’s two-game winning streak,
draining 17 three-pointers to complete a 122-106 rout, Sunday afternoon in Biñan, Laguna.
The first few minutes of the first quarter saw a heated trade of baskets between squads, but a 10-0 rally
halfway through the quarter gave the Tropang Texters the means to lead by double digits, 23-12, with
less than four minutes left on the clock. The Tropang Texters continued to drain basket after
basket from almost everywhere inside the arc and beyond; Barako Bull unable to put a stop to the salvo.
At the end of twelve minutes, Talk ‘N Text scored twice as many points as the Energy, ahead by
twenty with a 40-20 lead.
The Tropang Texters opened the second quarter with a 14-3 rally, with nine points coming from three more
treys, to lead by as many as 31, 54-23, with 8:05 left on the clock. Spurred by JC Intal, the Energy
managed to inject some life into their campaign, trimming the margin to as little as 21 points, but
could find no way to put a stop to the Tropang Texters’ near-immaculate shooting. At halftime, Talk ‘N
Text still led by 25, 73-48.
Things finally brightened up for Barako Bull in the third quarter. Powered by big baskets from Chico
Lanete, the Energy managed to trim the margin to 16 points, 75-91, with a little more than a
minute left in the quarter. After another couple of baskets from the two squads, the score stood at 97-
79 for Talk ‘N Text.
Barako Bull again showed signs of life in the fourth quarter, but could mount no big comeback, as
Talk ‘N Text continued to score as they pleased. A late rally from the Energy trimmed down the lead to
12, 117-105, with a minute left on the clock. Another couple of baskets in the final minute
padded the lead for Talk ‘N Text, with Kevin Alas sinking a buzzer-beating triple to ice the cake.
Jason Castro took home Player of the Game honors with 26 points and 3 assists, sinking four out of nine
three-point attempts while draining all five of his two-point field goal attempts.
The Tropang Texters improve to fourth at 5-3, sharing the spot with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Barako Bull meanwhile slides to 2-6.
Photo courtesy of Nuki Sabio
