Alaska’s Joe Devance blocks the shot of Talk ’N Text’s Jason Castro in Game 2 of their PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang Texters evened their best-of-seven series with a 100-94 win. (Photo by BOB DUNGO, JR.)

Games on Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — B-Meg Derby Ace vs San Miguel
6:30 p.m. —Talk ’N Text vs Alaska

The absence of ace shooting guard Mark Cardona didn’t stop Talk ’N Text from tying its semifinal showdown with Alaska as it scored a 108-94 victory in Game 2 of their PBA Fiesta Cup semifinal series on Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran playmaker Jimmy Alapag scored 25 points all in the second half aside from dishing out 10 assists to lead the Tropang Texters to a series-tying victory in their best-of-seven contest.

Without Cardona, the Texters had to rely also on sophomore guard Jason Castro who contributed 17 points, while forward Ranidel de Ocampo added 13 markers.

The 6-foot-2 Cardona, one of the best shooting guards in the PBA who averaged 16.8 points this conference, did not see action after marrying long-time girlfriend Clarissa Francisco also on Friday.

In the team's 88-104 setback to the Aces last Wednesday, the pesky guard scattered 17 points.

The 5-foot-10 Alapag, who only scored six points in the series opener and was scoreless in the first half, struck hardest in the payoff period where he banged back-to-back triples.

“We knew that Mac (Cardona) will miss the game since we found out our schedule in the semis. But we’re prepared, that was something we have to be ready for. We should not use that as excuse for the ballgame,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said.

Down 69-72, Alapag starred in a 15-2 run with a pair of three-pointers that gave Talk ’N Text an 84-74 advantage with 6:25 left in the game. Alaska got within five, 84-89, but de Ocampo made a jumper and a pair of free throws to make it 93-84 with three minutes to play.

The scores:
First Game
Talk N' Text 100 — Alapag 25, Castro 17, De Ocampo 13, Reyes 11, Daniels 11, Williams 10, Carey 7, Dillinger 6, Quinahan 0, Lao 0.
Alaska 94 — Simpson 25, Devance 16, Baguio 13, Thoss 12, Tenorio 9, Fonacier 8,Hugnatan 6, Dela Cruz 6, Eman 1, Robinson 0, Cariaso 0.
Quarters: 28-29, 44-52, 69-71, 100-94