Ramsey Williams of Burger King (right) runs smack into Talk 'N Text's Nic Belasco during their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup action last Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. The Texters won, 118-105. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

Game this Saturday
5 p.m. — Purefoods vs. Sta. Lucia

ANTIPOLO CITY – Defending champion Talk ’N Text shrugged off a poor start with a strong second half showing to whip Burger King, 118-105, in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center here.

Mark Cardona fired a season-high 40 points – two points shy from his personal best – while adding 11 rebounds four assists and a steal in 38 minutes of action as the Tropang Texters finished their first round campaign with a 6-3 card.

Jimmy Alapag added 15 points while Ali Peek contributed 13 points for TNT, which snapped Burger King’s two-game streak.

BK ended the first round with a 3-6 record.

The Whoppers built a 30-point lead, 49-19, early in the second period with the hot shooting hands of Gary David, who led his team with 24 points, and Ronjay Buenafe (15 points, five assists, three steals).

However, behind Cardona’s 12 points in the second period, and Pong Escobal’s nine, TNT cut the deficit to 53-63 at the turn.

“I expected us to be sluggish at the start,” coach Chot Reyes said. “But in a game full of heroes, I guess the hero for us is Pong Escobal. As coaches, when things really get bleak, we look deep down to the bench. Pong really gave us a big lift... Alapag’s free throw late in the third off a foul by Egay Billones gave TNT a 79-78 lead which the Texters never relinquished.

Talk ’N Text’s effort after being down by 30 points was the most by any team in recent years since the Purefoods Giants battled back from a 29-point deficit to beat Alaska in overtime, 86-84, in the 2005 Fiesta Cup.

Overall, the Texters shot 42-of-80 or 52.5 percent from the field, while holding the Whoppers to 38-of-85 or 44.7 percent. They also controlled the boards, 57-39.

Chico Lanete suffered a bruised left hip when he was knocked down hard by Ranidel de Ocampo while trying to pass the leather to a teammate. De Ocampo was ejected from the game with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 (F2) at the 1:52 mark of the second period.

Coach Yeng Guiao was given a technical foul for using profane words towards de Ocampo. Alapag made the foul shot while David split the technical free throws.

In the meantime, Bo Perasol was elevated from assistant to head coach, replacing Kenneth Duremdes, who will be the team’s alternate governor in the PBA board. The Tigers were to face the Barangay Ginebra Kings late Friday night.

Sta. Lucia Realty (5-3), on the other hand, tries to extend its winning streak to three as it battles Purefoods (4-4) in the PBA on the road presented by Phoenix Fuel this Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Robert Barbers Memorial Sports Complex in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

In the opening game, Smart-Gilas stunned league giant San Miguel Beer, 109-96.

Playing without an import for the second straight game, the Nationals squeezed the best out of guard Chris Tiu and Japeth Aguilar to score their biggest win in the league and prove to all that they can’t be taken lightly.

Showing that he has already matured, Tiu scattered 24 points while Aguilar stood his ground against San Miguel’s established stars to chip in 19 points and 15 rebounds.

The scores:
First Game
SMART-GILAS 109 – Tiu 24, Aguilar 19, Ababou 18, Al-Hussaini 15, Barroca 12, Ramos 8, Baracael 5, Casio 3, Ballesteros 3, Cawaling 2.
SAN MIGUEL 96 – Santos 23, Tugade 13, Pena 11, Racela 10, Miranda 9, Pennisi 8, Villanueva 7, Eman 7, Hontiveros 5, Calaguio 3.
Quarters: 34-22, 59-46, 83-73, 109-96.

Second Game
TALK ’N TEXT 118 – Cardona 40, Alapag 15, Peek 13, De Ocampo R 10, De Ocampo Y 10, Castro 9, Escobal 9, Dillinger 6, Carey 4, Ritualo 2, Isip 0, Belasco 0.
BURGER KING 105 – David 24, Buenafe 15, Belga 14, Sharma 10, Lanete 9, Yee R. 8, Matias 7, Yee M. 5, Quinahan 5, Williams 4, Aban 4, Billiones 0.
Quarters: 17-38, 53-63, 87-84, 118-105.