TNT Youth A, Sta. Lucia pound rivals

The Talk N Text national youth A team and the Sta. Lucia-CUSA quintet blasted their way past separate rivals Monday to gain a share of the leadership in the first Bert Lina-Six Feet and Above Junior Basketball Cup at the Lyceum gym.

Jonathan Fernandez, Christopher Catamora and Michael Galinato stoked the flames of resistance in the final quarter as the Talk N Text squad outplayed the Coca-Cola national youth C, 75-64.

Sta. Lucia-CUSA brought out the best in birthday celebrator Robert Tolentino as it thumped Ginebra-NCRAA, 94-70.

Both teams joined Red Bull-national youth B in the top spot. Ryan Arana powered the Ching Ching Marcelion-coached Red Bull to a 79-70 beating of Shell-UCAA with 19-points.

Oliver Cua and Raymond Aguilar sunk crucial charities in the last seven minutes to lead Coca-cola to a big scoring run which pushed them closer by four, 54-58.

But timely baskets and a searing fastbreak attack from Fernandez, Catamora and Galinato saw the Jonny Tam-coached Talk N Text team staying out of trouble in the ensuing plays.

Fernandez scored 15 points while Galinato provided 12 for Talk N Text in this two weeklong tournament for 18-and-under players standing six-feet and above.