The slump goes on for the expansion team. After a heated shootout in the first half, the Talk ‘n Text
suddenly found the means to dismantle league newcomers Kia Sorento in the second half, 85-62, Friday
night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The first quarter saw a heated trade of baskets between the two squads, with neither team pulling away
to control the flow of the game. A buzzer-beating lay-up from Larry Fonacier put the Tropang Texters up
by three down the stretch, 17-14.
Another shootout erupted in the second quarter, with both teams coming out with all guns blazing. The
Tropang Texters however would continue to pace the game, firing back at every shot drained by their
opponents to keep their lead intact. After another high octane quarter, the Tropang Texters entered
halftime still in the driver’s seat, 39-35.
Following back-to-baskets from former MVP Kelly Williams, the Tropang Texters were able to pad the
lead four minutes into the quarter, holding Kia to two points in the opening minutes to build their ten-
point lead, 47-37. What would follow was a masterful performance of flawless execution on both ends
of the court, on the part of Talk ‘n Text. The Tropang Texters would hold Kia to only seven more points
in the quarter, and after raking in another handful of points, exited the quarter with a commanding 59-
44 edge.
The Tropang Texters would continue to cause Kia to misfire early in the final period and at around the
sixth minute point of the quarter saw their lead balloon to twenty-two, 72-50, owing to a breakaway
trifecta from Jason Castro. Unable to find a way to put a stop to the Tropang Texters’ offensive outburst,
Kia would only continue to collapse. Entering the final two minutes, the Tropang Texters still sat
comfortably in the driver’s seat, 79-55. The Tropang Texters would hold on for the win.
Former Most Valuable Player Kelly Williams led Talk ‘n Text with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jason
Castro and Larry Fonacier had 13 and 12 each. Returning Talk ‘n Text star Jimmy Alapag had 2 points and
1 rebound in six minutes of play in his first stint in the conference. Karl Dehesa led Kia with 14 points,
while Rudy Lingannay had 11 points, all in the first half. This is the fourth straight loss for Kia, whose last
victory was in the season opener with fellow expansion team Blackwater. Talk ‘n Text meanwhile rise to
3-2 in the standings.
