Alapag’s 32 points tow TNT to a tough win over luckless Barako Bull

Alapag’s 32 points tow TNT to a tough win over luckless Barako Bull

Talk ‘N Text 105 vs. Barako Bull 100

by rick olivares

November 26, 2010

Araneta Coliseum

Talk ‘N Text bucked the tough Barako Bull behind Jimmy Alapag’s 32 points to tow the Tropang Texters to a hard-earned 106-102 win; their seventh in 10 matches.

It was hard earned in every sense of the word as it took a crucial defensive stop and consecutive three-pointers to repulse the Energy Boosters who have given TNT fits in their two matches this Philippine Cup.

When the two squads clashed last November 7, the match’s 84-83 outcome (in favor of TNT) came down to two Alapag free throws in the final 2.9 seconds that was sandwiched by a pair of triples by Barako’s Sunday Salvacion.

With Salvacion on the bench with a rolled ankle, it was Reed Juntilla’s remarkable shooting (11-21 for 52%) that gave the Pangilinan franchise fits. The former University of Visayas Green Lancer scored 28 points on three-pointers, fade aways, and pull up jumpers.

But with Mark Isip (17 points and 10 rebounds) fouling out, Energy Boosters’ coach Junel Baculi lost its dependable inside force.

While Chad Alonzo conducted himself well in relief with 11 points (nine in the fourth quarter), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals, Barako Bull found themselves threatening to level the count with TNT on top 97-95. Alonzo posted up Tropang Texter Larry Fonacier but when he spun around, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle ripped the ball away from his hands.

A minute later, Alapag and Fonacier hit back-to-back treys for a 103-96 lead. Instead of folding as they were without Isip and Salvacion, Barako threatened once more after Paolo Hubalde and Alonzo strung up two points each to make it 103-100.

After Fonacier short-armed a triple attempt, forward Harvey Carey, the only player currently averaging a double double in points and rebounds (13.1 ppg and 11.6 rpg) corralled the offensive board for a crucial possession. Alapag was fouled and he knocked down his two free throws once more to close out the scoring at 105-100. Carey scored 11 points and hauled down 15 huge boards.

Alapag, the former California State University-San Bernardino Coyote, scored 32 points, the second highest of his career after his 39-point eruption during a Christmas Day match with Ginebra in 2004 (that was for a loss). He also issued 10 assists (including the kickout to Fonacier for that wideopen dagger that gave them a seven-point lead late in the fourth) and one rebound.

For much of the game, the Energy Boosters gave the Tropang Texters fits with their dribble drive offense as Mark Isip, Ken Bono, Richard Yee, and Chad Alonzo were repeatedly the beneficiaries of drop passes by Paolo Hubalde, Borgie Hermida, and Reed Juntilla,

The Energy Boosters led 28-23 and 79-76 at the end of the first and third quarters respectively but the Tropang Texters took the even quarters behind Ryan Reyes’ 11 points in the second and Alapag’s 10 in the fourth. Barako had no double-digit scorer in the second or fourth periods to match up with the TNT’s guards’ explosion.

Barako fell to its seventh straight loss in the current PBA Philippine Cup while Talk ‘N Text tied idle Barangay Ginebra at 7-3.

Talk ‘N Text 105 – Alapag 32, Reyes 17, Dillinger 11, Carey 11, Fonacier 10, Peek 9, Alvarez 6, Castro 5, Aban 4, Oreta 0, Lao 0, Telan 0

Barako Bull 100 – Juntilla 28, Isip 17, Hubalde 13, Alonzo 11, Yee 10, Viray 9, Daa 5, Bono 4, Hermida 3, Dimaunahan 2, Cruz 0, Salvacion 0, Misolas 0