TNT whips Ginebra, sets up knockout match for last QF slot

Talk ‘N Text got the first of the two wins it needs to join the quarterfinal cast of the PBA Governors Cup.

With ace playmaker Jimmy Alapag draining three consecutive triples in the stretch, TNT pulled away for a 113-99 victory over Barangay Ginebra to keep its quarterfinals hopes alive at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Six players, led by import Courtney Fells’ 26, reached double figures in points but it was the 5-foot-10 Alapag who came up big and sparked the team’s blinding windup that enabled TNT to snap a five-game losing skid and improved to 3-6, tying its victim and Air21 at the bottom.

With an inferior quotient, the Express automatically bowed out, leaving the Texters and the Gin Kings battling it out anew on Monday at the Cuneta Astrodome, this time with the eighth and final spot in the playoffs on the line.

With momentum on its side, TNT can arrange an explosive clash with top-seeded Petron Blaze, which owns a twice-to-beat edge, but counting out Ginebra can prove costly.

Harvey Carey emerged as the brightest local for TNT with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds until Alapag canned in three straight triples that turned a close five-point cushion into a comfortable 107-95 lead going to the last 1:35 of play.

Import Dior Lowhorn led all scorers with 31 points while crafty guard LA Tenorio flirted with a triple-double outing of 18 markers, 12 assists and eight rebounds but Ginebra still ran out of steam in the face of the Alapag-led TNT closeout.

Earlier, Air21 restored some measure of pride and played the spoiler’s role to the hilt courtesy of a 121-107 stunner against favored Alaska.

Import Zach Graham scattered 27 points while the Archer duo of Simon Atkins (22 markers, spiked by six triples) and Joseph Yeo (21 points and seven assists) provided the needed support as the Express dealt a staggering blow to the Aces’ quarterfinals bid.

Reinforcement Wendell McKines proved a handful with 43 points and 16 rebounds but Alaska dropped into the company of idle GlobalPort and Barako Bull with identical 4-5 records.

As a result, the Aces slipped to seventh spot, paving the way for a quarterfinals tiff on Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum against the second seed San Mig Coffee Mixers, who enjoy a twice-to-beat edge.
 
The Main Man: Jimmy Alapag once again proved how clutch and deadly he is during crunch time.

Virtually silent all game long, the Gilas Pilipinas team skipper made his presence felt just when TNT needed him the most, draining one big triple after another in the team’s jarring finishing kick.

Facing another “do-or-die” situation, Alapag is expected to rise up anew for the Tropang Texters.
 
Honorable Mentions: With the usually reliable power forward Ranidel De Ocampo struggling to get his game going, Harvey Carey immediately filled up the slack.

One of the undersized power forwards at 6-foot-2, Carey scattered 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting from the field and hauled down a game-high 11 rebounds, six of them offensively.

Import Courtney Fells had a solid game of 26 points, including a thunderous dunk against Ginebra counterpart Dior Lowhorn midway in the fourth canto, on top of five rebounds, three blocks and two assists.
 
Game Turning Point: After an LA Tenorio lay-up pulled Ginebra within 93-98, Jimmy Alapag refused to be outshone as he took matters into his own hands and made the Gin Kings pay a stiff price by uncorking a treble of triples that helped the Texters pulled away for good.
 
They Said It:
Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black: “The guys willed themselves to victory. Good thing we won and we’ll be able to play another game. What’s bad is we play them again in 24 hours. Hopefully, they'll be tired as we are.”
 
Talk ‘N Text guard Jimmy Alapag: “We needed this one because it’s a do-or-die game for us. Now, we have to maximize our rest, see the tape and look what we need to improve on.”
 
Air21 coach Franz Pumaren: “Too bad our destiny right now is not in our hands. But we’re still hoping a miracle will happen in the second game. But even if we don’t make the playoffs, I’m still proud of our team. We can use this as a motivational factor for the next conference.”
 
 
The scores:
 
First Game
Air 21 (121) - Graham 27, Atkins 22, Yeo 21, Canaleta 16, Manuel 12, Custodio 10, Taulava 7, Sharma 4, Menor 2, Omolon 0.

Alaska (107) - McKines 43, Baguio 18, Thoss 17, Abueva 15, Casio 12, Dela Cruz 2, Reyes 0, Jazul 0, Eman 0, Espinas 0, Hontiveros 0, Belasco 0.
Quarterscores: 35-28, 63-54, 90-83, 121-107.
 
Second Game
Talk N' Text (113) - Fells 26, Carey 18, Peek 16, Alapag 15, Fonacier 12, Castro 11, Ferriols 8, De Ocampo 5, Anthony 2, Reyes R. 0, Aquino 0, Reyes J. 0, Aban 0.

Ginebra (99) - Lowhorn 31, Caguioa 29, Tenorio 18, Baracael 7, Helterbrand 6, Ellis 2, Maierhofer 2, Wilson 2, Mamaril 2, Labagala 0, Raymundo 0.