Alapag Returns as Texters, Aces Break Tie

Talk n Text welcomes another returning national player, Jimmy Alapag, as the Tropang Texters square off with the Alaska Aces in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Friday.

The Texters and the Aces slug it out at 7:30 p.m., both looking to be above the .500 mark halfway through their elimination round stint in the season-ending tourney.

Going to the crucial setto, the two teams are outside the Top Four with similar 2-2 win-loss slates.

The winner moves up to joint third place with Barako Bull at 3-2 while the loser drops to joint sixth with GlobalPort, San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra at 2-3.

“It’s really a big game,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“We know Alaska is one of the best teams in the league so this will be a tough one. We’re hoping to get a lift from Jimmy though he has had only three days of practice,” Black also said.

Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier rejoined the Texters ahead of Alapag, helping the team to a 102-95 win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier Sunday.

Alaska, meanwhile, dropped its last game against Meralco, 74-84, succumbing on the Bolts’ lock-down defense.

Fonacier went 3-of-6 from the three-point area and finished with 19 points while Castro and De Ocampo contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tropang Texters snapped a two-game losing skid versus the Batang Pier.

“We’re a long ways to go. We haven’t got into the groove. We still need a lot more practice,” said Fonacier.

“It’s still an adjustment period for the three. And we’re not a good team right now. Every game’s going to be tough,” said Black.

“Everything’s a bit of a struggle. We’re trying to hang in there to qualify to the next round. It’ll be a big lift for us when Jimmy (Alapag) comes back. It’s nice to hear his voice as the team’s leader,” Black also said.

The Texters relied on the key spurt of Mitchell, Fonacier, Ryan Reyes and De Ocampo to open a 14-point lead, 99-85, with four minutes left to play.

And as the Batang Pier waged a final fightback to close in at 95-100, Castro took charge to clinch the Texters’ second victory following a 118-113 overtime decision over the Energy on Aug. 16.

Castro, named to the Mythical Selection in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship, grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and knocked in two charities to settle the outcome of the contest. (SB)

Source: http://pba.inquirer.net/30125/alapag-returns-as-texters-aces-break-tie