Talk 'N Txt evens series

CEBU, Philippines - The Talk 'N Txt Tropang Texters struck back at B-Meg Llamados but had to dig deep at crunchtime before grinding through a 104-102 victory to even their best-of-seven finals series at one game apiece in the PBA Commissioner's Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ahead by just a matchstick, the Texters missed four crucial free throws in succession but lucky breaks were on their side to put the series back to square one.

With James Yap waxing hot from the field, the Llamados surged ahead by five, 97-92, at the final 2:24 of the contest but Jayson Castro scored on a six-point swing capped by a long 3-pointer that pushed the Texters on top, 100-99 with only 35 seconds left to play.

In the ensuing play, Yap committed a huge blunder when he took an ill-advised shot that only hit the board with still plenty of time left.

Despite their messy endgame play, fortune still smiled at the Llamados as TNT import Donnel Harvey and Kelly Williams flubbed four free throws in the final 19 seconds.

The Llamados, however, couldn't just execute one good offensive when it mattered most.

After a missed attempt by Yap, Ryan Reyes was fouled then cooly sank his freebies to put TNT ahead, 102-99, with eight seconds to go.

B-Meg could only answer with a free throw from Denzel Bowles as Jimmy Alapag calmly nailed his charities to practically seal the deal for the Texters, 104-100, with only four ticks remaining before the final buzzer. — (FREEMAN)