Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty (No. 21) goes for a steal as Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine (right) makes a pass to teammate Eddie Laure (No. 65) during their their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup duel Wednesday night. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games on Friday (Cuneta Astrodome)
2:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs Smart Gilas
5 p.m. – Purefoods vs Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. – Coca-Cola vs Alaska

Defending all-Filipino champion Talk ’N Text claimed its second straight win, cruising to an easy 103-70 victory over the Smart-Gilas National Team in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Mark Cardona, one of the best shooting guards in the league, led a balanced attack for the Tropang Texters with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals while veteran point guard Jimmy Alapag contributed 14 points, four boards, and six assists.

The win improved TNT’s win-loss record to 2-0 joining Alaska and Barangay Ginebra on top in the team standings.

Sta. Lucia Realty similarly claimed a 2-0 card after the Realtors outplayed Rain or Shine in overtime, 95-90, in the second game.

The loss was the second straight for the Elasto Painters.

Talk ’N Text took advantage of the absence of Rabeh Al-Hussaini (flu) and Chris Tiu (left quadriceps), as well as the limited playing minutes of import CJ Giles, who, according to Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, has “private problem.”

The 6-10 Giles played only five minutes in the first period, and without him on the floor, TNT controlled the middle.

“We caught a break when Giles played only at the start,” Talk ’N Text coach Chot Reyes said. “We put a lot of preparation for this game, we deviced a couple of defense, because Smart-Gilas can execute very well.

“We came out with a lot of energy, we executed our gameplan,” he said. “Being very young, they come out with energy. They execute their offense, it’s a well-oiled team. Our defensive game plan is to give them different looks.”

The win was a fitting follow up to Talk ’N Text’s 85-76 victory over Rain or Shine last Friday.

Gilas suffered its second straight loss. The Nationals lost to Burger King, 105-115, last week in a game where BK guard Wynne Arboleda mauled a fan that led to his suspension for the rest of the season without pay.

The scores:
First Game:
TALK ’N TEXT 103 – Cardona 16, Alapag 14, Dillinger 12, Castro 12, Peek 10, De Ocampo R. 9, De Ocampo Y. 8, Belasco 7, Escobal 5, Isip 4, Carey 4, Ritualo 2.
SMART-GILAS 70 – Barroca 16, Casio 14, Aguilar 14, Barracael 8, Cawaling 7, Ramos 5, Ababou 3, Jazul 2, Ballesteros 1, Giles 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 46-36, 76-54, 103-70.

Second Game:
STA. LUCIA 95 – Williams 28, Espinas 13, Daa 12, Omolon 12, Yeo 11, Reyes 8, Aquino 4, Jaime 2, Larong 2, Misolas 2, Urbiztondo 1, Pacana 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 90 – Araña 19, Norwood 18, Cruz 14, Laure 11, Arellano 8, Chan 6, Reyes 6, Tang 2, Ibanes 2, Telan 2, Alfad 1, Dulay 1.
Quarters: 20-18, 41-38, 62-57, 84-84 (Reg), 95-90 (OT)