MANILA: The Talk N Text Tropang Texters stunned the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, 97-83, Sunday night to seize the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome. The win was the second straight for the Texters after their 87-76 demolition of defending champions B-Meg Derby Ace last Friday. In the earlier match, the Barako Bull Energy Boosters brought down the Meralco Bolts, 74-68, behind the torrid shooting of former Barangay Ginebra guard Sunday Salvacion who notched his second straight 20-point game in the conference. But it was defense that won the game for the Boosters as they limited the Bolts to a 3-of-21 shooting from the field in the fourth quarter. Reed Juntilla also starred for the Boosters, scoring all his 11 points in the second half including the game's last six. Juntilla broke a 68-68 tie with a 15-foot jumper with 37 seconds left. The Boosters then held the Bolts scoreless while knocking in four more points to ensure their first win in the conference after a 64-88 loss to the Alaska Aces in their opening game last Friday. Rob Wainwright chipped in with 13 points, including 3-of-5 from the three-point arc. Wainwright also played tenacious defense on Macmac Cardona, holding the Bolts' top gunner scoreless in the fourth quarter. Cardona still managed to topscore for the Bolts with 21 points on a miserable 8-of-25 shooting. Barako Bull head coach Junel Baculi said the win was a huge morale-booster for his team. “Hopefully this will be a confidence builder for our less talented team,” he said after the game. “We are the only team which can't outshoot any team in this league. But we certainly can outdefend them,” Baculi said. “So I told the players to just play consistent defense and our offense will follow.”
