TNT survives Barako Bull scare

TNT survives Barako Bull scare

Talk ‘N Text 84 vs. Barako Bull 83

by rick olivares

November 7, 2010

Araneta Coliseum

With 5:45 left in the third quarter, Barako Bull Energy Booster guard Reed Juntilla missed a jumpshot inside the crowded lane. Talk ‘N Text forward Harvey Carey grabbed the board and extended his elbows to prevent anyone from poking the ball loose. “Let’s go, Harvey!” called out TNT point guard Jimmy Alapag as he took the outlet pass from his teammate. Alapag took one dribble then pitched the ball to Kelly Williams who was running ahead.

As soon as Williams received the rock, he accelerated towards the basket and caught Barako’s interior defenders by surprise as he laid the ball in for a bucket, 56-45 for Talk ‘N Text.

But no way were the Energy Boosters finished. First year head coach Junel Baculi had his team playing hard and challenging every single shot and drive by the Tropang Texters.

“We’re playing good halfcourt defense but we are not making our shots,” noted TNT head coach Chot Reyes to his team that led 37-34 at the half. Understanding that his team was tired from their hard game and a loss to the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados two days earlier, Reyes simply egged on his team to play as a team and no limit their turnovers that was giving Barako confidence. “We’re not setting picks for Jimmy. I like our effort but we can do better. Set those picks and knock some heads off. And Jason… you are our fastest player but you’re not getting the job done. Six turnovers in the first half? That is unacceptable. Marvin Cruz bumps you and you stare at him then look to the referee to make a call? That’s my job! Get back down and play!”

After Castro scored on a quick layup that gave TNT a 58-47 lead, the Energy Boosters showed that given a little more seasoning and a few additions here and there, they could be a contender.

What seemed like a safe 12-point lead at 71-59 after Williams tipped in a Jared Dillinger miss soon evaporated with a searing rally by Barako Bull. Forward-centers Mark Isip and Ken Bono battled Carey and Ali Peek neck and neck inside the lane while Rob Wainwright and Sunday Salvacion fired away from the outside. And directing all the action of the Energy Boosters was Paolo Hubalde who in 29 minutes tallied eight points, three rebounds, and six assists against only one turnover.

The son of former Crispa great Freddie Hubalde hit two free throws to put his side behind a solitary point 75-76 with time down to 2:22 in the fourth quarter. Williams gave TNT some breathing space with two free throws then Carey rebounded a missed trey by Wainwright.

After a timeout with 58.5 left, Alapag’s quick strike to Williams for a one-handed alley-oop slam gave TNT an 82-77 lead. But two missed free throws by Larry Fonacier gave Barako life. Salvacion hit a triple to bring the Texters’ lead down 82-80. Two clutch Alapag free throws following a foul by Wainwright gave TNT an 84-80 lead with 2.9 left that all but guaranteed a victory as Salvacion hit one more triple at the buzzer to close out the scoring at 84-83.

The win enabled Talk ‘N Text to forge a tie with San Miguel Beer that lost earlier to Rain or Shine at 6-2 with Barangay Ginebra a game behind at 5-2. “I don’t mind winning close games like this,” said Reyes to his team after the game. “Our halfcourt defense was great on a night where we couldn’t get our offense going. A character building win? Maybe. But the lesson here is we cannot give our opponents chances to beat us. We missed a lot of free throws out there that could have easily given us the game with plenty of time left.”

Alapag sat quietly with his eyes still ablaze with intensity. He knew his team dodged a bullet right there. One more missed free throw there and they could still be playing in overtime at that moment. “We have a long way to go if we want to challenge for the championship,” said the long time TNT guard. “We have to dedicate ourselves here. We know what it’s all about.”

And with Chot Reyes and Kelly Williams out for close to two weeks for national team duty and a match-up with San Miguel on the horizon, the Tropang Texters are sure going to need it.

Talk ‘N Text 84 – Alapag 16, Williams 14, Castro 12, Dillinger 11, Peek 11, Aban 7, Fonacier 6, Carey 5, Yee 2, Alvarez 0

Barako Bull 83 – Salvacion 17, Isip 16, Bono 10, Wainwright 10, Yee 10, Hubalde 8, Duncil 4, Daa 4, Cruz 2, Andaya 2, Juntilla 0, Dimaunahan 0

Note: TNT's Ryan Reyes did not play as he had to fly home to the United States to be with his wife who was about to give birth. That means when TNT takes on SMB they will be undermanned. Nash Racela will be calling the shots for the Tropang Texters in that game.