Coca-Cola's Mark Macapagal (center) loses the ball while driving against Talk 'N Text's Mark Isip (right) and Ranidel de Ocampo (left) in Wednesday's PBA action at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang Texters won, 103-94.

Games on Friday (Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City)
2:30 p.m. — Smart-Gilas vs. Sta. Lucia
5 p.m. — Barako Bull vs. Talk 'N Text
7:30 p.m. — Alaska vs. Rain or Shine

After losing their last two games, Mac-Mac Cardona knows he must do something drastic to end their losing run.

And he did.

Taking most of the opportunities that came his way in the second half, Cardona fired a conference-high 35 points as defending champion Talk 'N Text downed Coca-Cola, 103-94, in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Cardona was on target in the final half as he made the ring look like a football goal, sizzling with 23 points enough to turn the things aroun in their favor.

The former La Salle stalwart made 12 -of-18 from the field, including a brilliant 5-of-8 clip from the three-point territory. He also made 6-of-10 free throws.

Cardona's 35-Point performance Wednesday night enabled him to better the previous best of 28 which was recorded by both Sta. Lucia Realty's Kelly Williams and San Miguel Beer's Arwind Santos.

However, it was seven points hy of his career-best 42 points he established against Red Bull in the Philippine Cup last season.

The win imporved TNT's win-loss record to 3-2, while Coke which remained without veteran center Asi Taulava, fell to 1-4.

"Obviously, coming into the ballgame not having Harvey Carey (strained knee) ad the health of Jared Dillinger (bruised rib) was a concer," TNT coach Chot Reyes said. "Getting this win is nice, but I don't think we really played our best."

Maybe, save for Cardona's game-long brilliance.

"We need to find our way to get ready," he said.

The Phone Pals took control of the game early, posting a 43-34 lead with 3:49 left in the second quarter. But their offensive might suddenly disappeared, allowing the Tigers with Wesley Gonzales at the firing end, to unload a telling 16-0 run to take a 50-43 lead.

But a pep talk during the intermission did wonders for the Phone Pals, as Cardona scored almost at will to steer the team to a 76-66 advantage. That was helped by their torrid shooting, making 13-of-20 tries for a 65 percent shooting clip.

The scores:
First Game:
TALK 'N TEXT 103 — Cardona 35, Alapag 21, Belasco 11, Dillinger 8, Peek 8, De Ocampo Y. 6, Castro 5, Ritualo 5, De Ocampo R. 4, Isip 0.
COCA-COLA 94 — Espino 21, Rodrigues 17, Cabagnot 16, Gonzales N. 13, Gonzales W. 12, Macapagal 9, Calimag 5, Bono 1, Ross 0, Cruz 0, Rizada 0, Catli 0.
Quarters: 27-19, 43-50, 76-66, 103-94.