Barako Bull survived the Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters 105-98 in overtime to clinch their fourth win in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Willie Wilson was the undisputed man of the hour since he produced 28 points and 20 rebounds to give Barako a crucial win. On the other hand, Talk N’ Text may have lost but the ballclub should well be encouraged by the performances of rookies Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario
Barako started the better team as they led 12-11 at the back of a teardrop from Chico Lanete in the first quarter. However, Talk N’ Text adjusted after the timeout and made an eleven point swing to lead 22-24. Talk N’ Text maintained their momentum and Rosario made a trey to end the first quarter 19-27 in favor of Talk N’ Text.
Rodney Brondial was brought on and he scored five points early in the second quarter to trim Talk N’ Text’s lead to 26-29. Jayson Castro then scored beyond the arc to restore Talk N’ Text’s six point lead but Barako responded via baskets from Mac Baracael and JC Intal. A Jeric Fortuna trey swung the game back to Barako’s end at 33-32 which was stretched to 44-34 because of two Willie Wilson freebies.
Undeterred, Talk N’ Text made a hattrick of threes, one from Rosario and two via Ryan Reyes, to slice Barako’s lead to a single point. Barako concluded the half with a 44-43 lead over Talk N’ Text.
Both teams repelled one another in the third quarter as they traded basket after basket. Wilson completed a three point play to give Barako a 61-60 lead which was instantly rebuffed by Rosario at the other end. Wilson’s jumper later equalized the scores at 64-64. Brondial then gave some leeway for Barako to give his team a 70-66 lead.
Likewise in the first half, a 5-0 run capped off by a Rosario trey swung the lead back to Talk N’ Text at 70-71. Nonetheless, Barako quickly composed themselves with a 5-0 run of their own via a Josh Urbiztondo trey and two technical free throws from Michael Miranda. Score for the third quarter was 78-75 in favor of Barako.
It was the same tale in the fourth quarter as the two teams responded to each other’s efforts. Another move from Wilson in the paint leveled the scores once again, this time at 83-83. Wilson once more gave the lead to Barako and a follow up from Fortuna extended it to 87-83. RR Garcia then scored a layup to give Barako a 94-91 lead but Castro made a long two to trim the deficit to a solitary point.
Garcia then sunk a free throw but Castro once again produced the deadlock at 95-95. It was up to Garcia to break the impasse again and he committed no errors with his two free throws. It was then Rosario’s turn to go to the free throw line and he coldly made both to reinstate a 97-apiece deadlock.
Nevertheless, Barako and TNT forced overtime after Castro’s shot hit the rim.
Garcia struck another two freethrows while Castro only made one, Barako led 99-98. A Wilson put back increased Barako’s lead to 101-98. Finally, a free throw from Intal and an accidental put back by Moala Tautuaa which was credited to Wilson secured the game for Barako at 105-98.
After Wilson, Garcia added 22 points for Barako followed by Intal 12. On ther other hand, Mo Tautuaa scored 22 points while Castro and Rosario made 19 each.
The result was the fourth win (4-4) for Barako this conference and it they are now level in the standings with the likes of Barangay Ginebra and NLEX Road Warriors. On the other hand, Talk N’ Text suffered their third loss which relegated them to a 4-3 record but they are still well placed to qualify for the post-season.
Up next for Barako is Blackwater Elite on December 11, 2015 (Friday, 4:15PM) while Talk N’ Text shall face the San Miguel Beermen on December 12, 2015 (Saturday, 5:15PM). Both games will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Barako Bull (105) — Wilson 28, Garcia 22, Intal 12, Fortuna 10, Baracael 9, Brondial 7, Lanete 6, Miranda 6, Urbiztondo 3, Monfort 2, Caperal 0, Pennisi 0.
Talk ‘N Text (98) — Tautuaa 20, Castro 19, Rosario 19, Carey 8, Wiliams 8, Miranda 7, Rosser 6, Reyes 6, Fonacier 5, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 19-27; 44-43; 78-75; 97-97; 105-98.
