Texters put Air21 'rookies' off line

MANILA, Philippines –  Talk n Text rode the momentum of its 94-80 win over Powerade the last time out, making it two in a row with a 124-110 drubbing of Air21 in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game at the Holy Cross of Davao College Gym in Davao City last night.

The Tropang Texters torched the Express with a torrid shooting and disappointed Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi in their first game with Air21.

The four former SMBeermen played well in their Air21 debut but the Express struggled as they hardly got anything from import Geremy Robinson.

The Texters caught up with the Alaska Milk Aces at third place at 2-1 while the Express slid to joint seventh with the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados and the Powerade Tigers at 1-2.

Jimmy Alapag pumped in six triples and a total of 24 points, towing TnT to a 20-point bulge at 95-75 before sitting out most of the fourth quarter due to cramps.

The prized Fil-Am guard also issued nine assists, grabbed two rebounds and would always be there for Talk n Text each time Air21 would come close.

The Express kept on fighting back but the Texters stayed intact, pulling off another convincing win after a losing debut versus Smart Gilas.

The Texters clobbered the Express while putting in the most points in a game (124) and in a half (65) by any team this conference.

Hontiveros came out smoking, rifling in 11 points in the opening quarter and 10 in the second period.

The Cebuano pride closed the first period with a buzzer-beating running jumper then pumped in 10 points in a 17-5 attack that tied the count at 36-all.

The Texters squandered a 14-point first-quarter lead but regained control by the end of the first half through the exploits of Alapag, Ryan Reyes and Paul Harris.

Alapag knocked in three triples in a TnT counterattack that gave the Texters a 65-53 cushion at the half.

Alapag also set up Harris for a thunderous jam that sent the Davaoeno crowd up on their feet.

The Texters dominated the first 24 minutes of play with a 59-percent shooting as against the Express’ 38-percent clip.

TnT outscored Air21, 14-5, on fastbreaks and had more assists at 18-9.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine seeks a third straight win as it goes up against Powerade at the resumption of play at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Barangay Ginebra and Derby Ace clash in the other game with the Kings eyeing a second win in three starts and the Llamados looking for win No. 2 against three losses.