King-size fightback ties series

Manila, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra foiled Talk n Text’s attempt to match a record streak and evened their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven title showdown with a pulsating 108-106 win last night at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Cheered on by their loyal followers, the Kings built a 108-101 cushion entering the final minute and pulled through with Jimmy Alapag missing a make-or-break three-point attempt in the closing seconds.

“It’s a big win because it’s hard to be down 0-2 especially against Talk n Text. They can pound you on every single play,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“We know that won’t change. They will keep on pounding and pounding and pounding us on both ends, and we have to be ready,” Uichico added.

Rookie John Wilson dished out the best game of his young career and had key contribution as the Kings opened the seven-point spread at the finish.

Nonetheless, the Texters had a chance to salvage the game but eventually yielded with Alapag’s three-point try missing badly in the dying seconds.

The Texters suffered their first loss since a 98-103 defeat at the hands of Smart Gilas on Feb. 25.

They missed a chance to become the first team in PBA history to have two streaks of at least 13 wins in a row.

“We lost because Ginebra outhustled us and beat us,” rued Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

“Jimmy Alapag was nowhere to be found. He had three big mistakes and Paul Harris had two down the stretch. Two less mistakes and we could have won the game,” Reyes also said then pointed to Alapag’s 1-of-11 three-point shooting and Harris’ seven turnovers.

Harris banged away 24 points but only one in the final period.

Alapag, a candidate for the Best Player of the Conference honors, scored 13 of his 17 in the fourth quarter but missed the shot that mattered most.

“We couldn’t stop John Wilson. He made Paul Harris look like an amateur. Basically, the story of the game was John Wilson outplaying Harris,” said Reyes.

Wilson, a former NCAA MVP winner from Jose Rizal U, rifled in 16 points, including a three-point play in a nine-to-nothing run that pushed Ginebra upfront at 108-101.

Talk n Text team manager Aboy Castro and Ronald Tubid traded barbs late in the third period after the Ginebra forward gave Alapag a hard foul.

The proverbial cooler heads intervened, and the Texters sustained a charge that sent them on top, 80-76, going to the final period.

Ranidel de Ocampo fired back-to-back treys to tie the count at 71.

With huge help from their reserves, the Kings waged a fiery rally in the second quarter and surged ahead, 47-46, at the half.

Rob Labagala and Wilson had their moments helping the Kings make a turnaround from a 15-point deficit in the second period.

The Texters built early double-digit spreads while converting 57 percent of their shots in the opening canto.

Harris put in double-digit output right in the first quarter with Ryan Reyes and Jason Castro combining for a 3-of-4 three-point shooting.

The three outscored the entire Ginebra team, 30-15, in the first 12 minutes of play, but the Kings turned things around in the next quarter, cashing heavily on hustle plays.