Talk n' Text holds off Alaska; Meralco halts Air21 in overtime thrillers

Saturday night was a great night for PBA patrons, as they witnessed not one, but two overtime matches between four different teams.

Talk n' Text holds off Alaska

 

Gilas stalwarts Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag held their own for the Tropang Texters as the two guys hit crucial shots to give their team a 121-117 victory over the Aces.

De Ocampo hit a wide-open triple that bounced on the front rim before fatefully dropping in the basket to give Talk n' Text a 119-115 lead with 35.6 seconds to go.

Veteran big man Sonny Thoss managed a basket underneath after a rebound battle, a glimpse of his career-high 30 points, to cut the lead to two points.

But two free throws for Alapag off a JV Casio foul, and a missed desperation heave for rookie Chris Exciminiano, sealed the deal for the Tropang Texters, who nailed its seventh win in ten games.

De Ocampo and Alapag had huge help from their teammates, as de Ocampo was one of the six players in double figures, highlighted by a double-double performance from another former Gilas member in Kelly Williams, who tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

Alaska falls to a precarious 4-7 slate, narrowing their chances for a playoff finish. Talk n' Text, meanwhile, goes up to a 7-3 record to tie with Rain or Shine.

Meralco halts Air21

 

Gary David, the reigning PBA scoring champ, once again showed his prowess when it comes to getting points on the board.

David poured 34 big points on 13-of-26 shooting and 4-of-7 from long distance, while returning veteran Danny Ildefonso had 14 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Meralco to a thrilling 92-88 victory against Air21.

Air21 was on Meralco's coat tails from the tip-off, and until the regulation buzzer, when KG Canaleta, the three-point king, buried a tough baseline triple contested by Ildefonso to send the game to an extra five minutes.

It was a neck-and-neck match in overtime, with neither team backing down. But "El Granada", as he is famously known, nailed back-to-back jumpers for a 87-84 count heading to the final minute.

A Reynel Hugnatan short stab and Ildefonso's free throw countered two shots by Asi Taulava late in the game to seal the Bolt's fourth win in 11 games.

The win spoiled a great game for Canaleta, who finished with 32 markers on 11-of-23 shooting, and a conference-high 26 boards for Taulava to complement his 15 points.

Air21 falls deeper in the cellar with a 2-9 slate, while Meralco ends up at 4-7 after the game to tie Alaska and Barako. (GS)

The scores: 

First game 

Talk 'N Text 121 – Williams 18, Reyes 17, De Ocampo 16, Castro 16, Fonacier 14, Anthony 13, Seigle 9, Carey 8, Alapag 5, Reyes J. 3, Baclao 2.

Alaska 117 – Thoss 30, Jazul 18, Espinas 18, Baguio 17, Casio 11, Abueva 9, Ramos 7, Eximiniano 3, Dela Cruz 2, Eman 2, Hontiveros 0.

Quarterscores: 26-26; 48-40; 83-80; 108-108; 121-117

Second game

The scores:

Meralco 98 – David 34, Ildefonso 14, Wilson 13, Hugnatan 9, Dillinger 8, Salvacion 5, Guevarra 5, Hodge 4, Timberlake 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Artadi 0.

Air21 88 – Canaleta 32, Taulava 15, Yeo 10, Manuel 8, Vardona 7, Sharma 6, Camson 4, Matias 2, Arboleda 2, Ritualo 2, Jaime 0, Menor 0, Custodio 0.

Quarterscores:  21-15; 38-31; 56-56; 79-79; 92-88.