Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Talk N Text Tropang Texters rained down three-pointers all night long to subdue the Air21 Express, 87-82, Sunday night in the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena. The victory was the third straight for the Texters in a span of six days as they firmed up their hold of solo third place in the standings with a 6-2 win-loss card, just behind joint leaders Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra, both with a 7-1 card. The Texters hardly missed the services of injured star guards Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes as they pounded the hapless Express to submission on both ends of the court. Flashing his usual brilliance, Jayson Castro led the Texters with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Ranidel de Ocampo also played superbly, showing no more sign of his old injury, as he scored 18 points, including four triples. Jai Reyes added a PBA-career high 15 points, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Larry Fonacier joined the scoring binge with 13 points on 3-of-5 three-point shots. Overall, the Texters shot 13-of-27 from three-point range, for a sizzling 48.1 percent clip. Asi Taulava led the Express with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Joseph Yeo and KG Canaleta added 13 points apiece. Air21 continued its freefall as it absorbed its eighth loss in nine games. Barako Bull 99, Meralco 86 Snapping a six-game losing streak, the Barako Bull Energy Cola stunned the Meralco Bolts, 99-86, in the first match of the Sunday double-header. With torrid outside shooting, the Energy Cola finally barged into the win column after nearly a month of futility. Barako Bull improved to a 3-6 card, joining Meralco and idle Alaska in a logjam for seventh to ninth place in the standings. Seven players scored in double digits for Barako Bull led by Denok Miranda who fired 17 points, including 3-of-3 from behind the arc. Willie Miller and Mick Pennisi contributed 14 points apiece. Mark Macapagal and JC Intal chipped in with 11 each, while Rico Maierhofer and Dorian Pena added 10 points apiece. Barako Bull waxed hot from three-point territory, hitting 14-of-24 for an impressive 41.2 percent clip. Miller, Pennisi, Macapagal, Intal, and Keith Jensen buried at least one triple each. The Bolts' third straight defeat spoiled the return of Meralco power forward Cliff Hodge, who suffered a sprained ankle last month and had to undergo treatment. Gary David and Mike Cortez led the Bolts with 20 points apiece, while Rabeh Al-Hussaini added 19 points and 16 rebounds. Games Wednesday: Air21 vs. GlobalPort; Petron Blaze vs. Barangay Ginebra.
