Texters strike back, tie Mixers at 1-1

MANILA, Philippines - Before his likely coronation as Best Player of the Conference before Game Three tomorrow, Jayson Castro dished out his biggest game in the tourney and Talk n Text recovered from its deflating loss Friday night, getting back at San Mig Coffee, 86-76, in Game Two of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

With Talk n Text definitely needing a lift, Castro stepped up all over the floor, over and over again, delivering a conference high 30 points to lead the Tropang Texters to the crucial series-tying victory.

The much-dependable 5-foot-10 guard fired 10 points to fuel TnT’s decisive breakaway in the third quarter and rifled in bigger baskets in the fourth to help keep San Mig Coffee at bay.

“Castro carried us offensively in this game. Basically, he’s the one San Mig Coffee is targeting defensively that’s why they put Marc Pingris on him,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

“He did a much better job tonight getting the right time to attack,” added Black on the sterling performance by Castro with 5-of-8 three-pointers, 5-of-13 twinners, 5-of-6 charities, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block.

Richard Howell also came out as the leading Best Import candidate, also doing San Mig Coffee much damage with 18 points and 20 rebounds. On Game One, he’s held to 11 markers and 13 boards.

The rest of the TnT team played with much, much energy than the last time as the Texters got back on the winning track after seeing the end of their unbeaten 13-game romp Friday.

“Effort was the No. 1 thing. Tonight, we played with a lot of energy and intensity. That resulted in this win,” said Black.

“They certainly turned the tables on us. They were us, and we were them on Game One. They came out more aggressive, sharper and more alert,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

Castro was a bundle of energy  all over the floor as the Texters pulled away in the third quarter, enjoying a 65-49 cushion going into the final canto.

The Texters stretched their lead to 18 on a jumper by Kelly Williams at the start of the third, and Cone decided not to field back anymore top guns James Yap and PJ Simon with the remaining games of the series in mind.

“We’re looking to keep them fresh. We’re looking at the series. I would have brought them back had the second group got back into the game,” said Cone.

The Mixers actually were able to trim the deficit to six, 73-79, but Castro won’t let his efforts go down the drain.

He tied his previous conference best of 25 points in the first three quarters then set a new mark with two crucial field goals in the fourth. He wrapped up his scoring with a key trey, restoring a commanding lead for Talk n Text, 82-73, entering the last two minutes of play.