Pals rout Chargers for solo lead

It turned out a lucky Friday the 13th for Talk n Text.

Playing well and getting the breaks most of the way, the Phone Pals dominated the Turbochargers last night, carving out an 84-71 rout that boosted their bid for an outright semifinals entry in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Making the right adjustments minus suspended ace point guard Jimmy Alapag, the Pals took control nearly all game-long in a big recovery from an 85-88 upset by a Purefoods squad sans Kerby Raymundo and Jun Limpot Wednesday.

That pushed Talk n Text within two games of an automatic passage into the semis as the Pals regained the solo lead in the chart on their 10th win in 15 outings.

The Turbochargers bowed out of the race for the two outright semis berths being disputed in the double-round classification phase as they suffered a ninth loss against six wins.

It was a second straight blowout loss for Shell following the suspension of key players Tony dela Cruz and Chris Jackson who failed to submit documents attesting to their Filipino citizenship.

"We knew we’re lacking in offense without Jimmy (Alapag) who averaged about 18 points a game in our last few games. What we lacked on offense, we more than made up in defense," said Talk n Text coach Joel Banal.

"The goal was to limit them below 18 points of their average right in the first half. I think we’re able to do that, kaya first half pa lang tapos na ang laban," he added.

True enough, the fight was practically over at the half with Talk n Text taking a 57-25 lead after the first 24 minutes of play.

Banal also noted that new import Ajani Williams has yet to fully adjust to Shell’s brand of game and it proved to be a key factor in the one-sided contest.

The Turbochargers actually cut a 29-point third-quarter deficit to what it was in the end with Williams, one of Alaska’s imports in the 2002 Commissioner’s Cup along with Chris Carrawell, already riding the bench after suffering leg cramps.