Pals rout Chargers in opener

Talk N Text gave hints of another dominating stint as it did in the elims of the previous conference, blasting Shell, 89-72, behind import Danny Johnson yesterday at the start of the Philippine Basketball Association Samsung Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Replacing a taller but slower Richie Frahm, Johnson banged away 16 of his 27 points in the final two quarters, including four triples, as the Phone Pals imposed their will on the hapless Turbo Chargers.

"There is no problem with Richie, I love him in fact, but we needed someone who can create situations not only for himself but also his teammates," said Talk N Text coach Bill Bayno.

"And Danny just provided what this team really needed," added the American coach.

Johnson, who led St. Louis to its first two International Basketball League titles, sparked the Pals efficient offensives with his precision passing and impeccable outside shooting, enabling Talk N Text to can 12 of 26 treys in the contest.

Jerald Honeycutt, playing in his third PBA conference after norming 26.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the last conference, made things easier for Johnson and the Phone Pals with his almost unstoppable inside incursions.

The hefty Honeycutt powered the team with 29 points and 16 rebounds.

In the second game, Tony Lang delivered the goods as Red Bull raced to an early 31-10 lead and never looked back on its way to a lopsided 81-69 victory over Ginebra.

Lang, who opted to stay in the country after the Governors’ Cup, topscored for Red Bull with 36 points, including 22 in the first two quarters where he went 10-of-10 from the field.