B-Meg feeds on Hinson heroics

DUBAI – B-Meg fought back from early double-digit deficits with tremendous boost from new import Darnell Hinson, stopping Talk n Text, 111-105, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Al Shabab Sports Club here Thursday night.

Though not putting up big numbers, Hinson, a replacement to Stefhon Hannah, made an impact on the backcourt and unloaded clutch treys.

The former Northeastern U stalwart knocked in 20 of his 26 points in the middle quarters, leading the Llamados in key runs that carried the team to its third win against two losses in the season-ending tourney.

“He looks the right fit for us,” said B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent of their prized find from the Puerto Rican pro league.

“We don’t need a slasher type of an import. We need a guy like him who can shoot from the outside, allowing us to spread the floor,” Gallent said.

Hinson knocked in four three-pointers and finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and two assists against three turnovers.

Hinson’s steady outside shooting helped open the lanes for his teammates with Marc Pingris and Joe Devance striking hard at the paint and James Yap scoring practically from all corners as B-Meg dealt Talk n Text its first loss since its Commissioner’s Cup title conquest.

The Texters, however, remained in the lead, tied with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 3-1.

A big concern for Talk n Text is how to come back from this loss as it plays its second straight game against Barangay Ginebra in the same venue Friday.

Yap led all scorers with 32 points while Pingris and Devance both churned out double-double outputs, combining for 33 points and 29 rebounds as B-Meg notched a third win against two losses.

With Jimmy Alapag back in harness, the Texters came out strong, dominating the first half with their pressing game but lost momentum in the third quarter.

Harvey Carey best typified TnT’s meltdown with the 6-foot-3 Fil-Am forward going scoreless after pouring in 20 in the first half.

The Llamados then seized control, 76-63, on a 21-1 run built around Hinson, Pingris, Yap and Devance.

The four players also kept the team afloat at the height of Jason Castro’s 16-point siege in the final quarter.

Pingris had his finest moments outplaying both Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo. He produced impressive all-around numbers of 17 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and the same number of assists and sent the crowd up on their feet with a thunderous slam to highlight B-Meg’s decisive third-quarter assault.

“We played bad particularly in the first quarter partly because we couldn’t run our play the way we’re supposed to and the guys sort of lost their poise. But the good thing is that we picked our game when we have to,” said Gallent.

A concern for B-Meg was the knee injury suffered by Jonas Villanueva just eight minutes into the game.