Texters repulse fighting B Pier

MANILA, Philippines - Jason Castro put in a personal season-high 30 points and Ranidel de Ocampo shared 15, including a dagger three-pointer in the closing seconds, as Talk n Text gave coach Norman Black a winning debut, outlasting a fighting Globalport side, 108-104, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Black returned to pro play 24 hours after leaving the UAAP in a blaze of glory.

“Right now, we’re still pretty much a work in progress. Probably nobody noticed we had lots of miscommunications out there. The players are still learning the system,” said Black, back in the PBA as head coach after 10 years of absence.

“Our focus is to get as many wins possible while still trying to blend. Once it happens, we’ll be a better team,” Black said.

Black actually let assistant coach Nash Racela hold the rein most of the way before deciding to take over as Globalport rallied from a 16-point deficit and dragged TnT to a battle at the finish.

“At the end, I tried to take control a little more as the adrenalin flowed in,” he said.

Castro and De Ocampo rose to the challenge and the Texters caught up with the Barangay Ginebra Kings atop the leaderboard at 2-0.

The Kings try to regain solo lead as they slug it out with the Meralco Bolts in the kickoff leg of the PBA Phoenix Fuel on Tour tonight in Digos, Davao del Sur.

Castro and De Ocampo combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter as Talk n Text overcame a tough challenge by Globalport in the absence of injured top gun Gary David.

The league newcomer remained winless in three starts in the tourney.

The Batang Pier waged a fight largely behind the efforts of Willie Miller, Vic Manuel and Rabeh Al-Hussaini who scored at least 17 points each.

Mark Yee also made his presence felt, getting the crowd up on their feet at one point in the second quarter on an electrifying slam off Kelly Williams.

A few plays later, he made another attempt that missed, eliciting some laughter.

Their searing fourth-quarter charge also had the Batang Pier leading by four at 100-96.

They were still ahead at 104-101 before going scoreless in the last 3:41 of play.

Castro pounced on Alfred Mandani’s sloppy defense, scoring back-to-back baskets as Talk n Text moved up front again at 105-104.

Crucial offensive rebounds helped the Texters keep the Batang Pier at bay at the finish.

Jeff Chan poured in a career- and league season-high 35 points, including the go-ahead basket, as Rain or Shine topped Air21, 99-98, in overtime in the nightcap.

“Air21 played and defended well. It’s just our experience, some of the residue of our championship experience holding on,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.