Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters squandered a 28-point lead but held on to preserve a 94-85 victory over KIA Carnival in their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup match at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Friday (June 19).
Jayson Castro led the way for the Tropang Texters with 19 points, two assists, and a steal.
Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams added 14 points apiece.
Talk ‘N Text improved to a 5-6 win-loss record to remain in the hunt of a playoff spot.
The Tropang Texters rolled on to a 32-17 start, led by as much as 28 points, but sputtered late in the second period.
KIA threatened to turn the tables with a late surge that sliced the deficit to seven, 92-85, with 1:20 left.
Behind Karl Dehesa and Asian import Jet Chang, KIA engaged Talk N Text in a slugfest from there.
But the Carnival failed to capitalize on four missed free throws by Talk ‘N Text in the dying seconds, pulling them down to the bottom three of the standings with a 4-6 card.
Talk ‘N Text import Steffphon Pettigrew put the exclamation point to the win with a putback at the buzzer.
Dehesa and Chang fired 19 and 17 points, respectively for KIA.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT (94) – Castro 19, Williams 14, De Ocampo 14, Daghles 11, Pettigrew 11, Fonacier 7, Rosser 7, Washington 5, Aban 3, Seigle 2, Reyes R. 1, Carey 0.
KIA (85) – Dehesa 19, Chang 17, N’Diaye 9, Deutchman 8, Webb 8, Revilla 5, Bagatsing 5, Yee 4, Cawaling 3, Buensuceso 3, Nuyles 2, Alvarez 2, Avenido 0.
Quarterscores: 32-17, 57-38, 70-65, 94-85
