Wade, Alapag star as TNT continues domination of Coke this season

Tiras Wade recorded his third straight double-double and Jimmy Alapag scored 19 of his 26 points in the second half as Talk ‘N Text finally picked up its first win in three starts in the 2009 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

And it was very obvious that TNT coach Chot Reyes wasn’t surprised with their 133-111 victory that snapped a 0-2 start.



The day before the Coke game, Reyes believed his team would finally hit paydirt.

“Coming to today I felt we had a better chance. I was a lot more confident simply because the one-week break we had between our last game and this game gave us enough time to practice,” Reyes said.

The Tropang Texters took complete control of the game with a 10-0 run in the fourth as the Tigers turned the ball over in their first five possessions.

Wade turned in 38 points and 14 rebounds and teamed up with Alapag in the third quarter as Tropang Texters held off repeated rallies by the Tigers.

“This is a big game for us. What we accomplished tonight gave us confidence heading to our next game. Hopefully we could build on this,” said Alapag, who went 5-of-10 from the 3-point range and 7-for-7 from the line.

The Tigers also got significant contributions from Jared Dilinger (13 points), Mark Cardona and Ali Peek (12 points apiece).

“Were still far from the shape we want to be. But I hope we could sustain this and keep on winning,” Reyes said.

TNT dominated the almost the entire first half after opening the game with 9-0 start.

But the Tigers made a late run, took a two point lead on a 3-point play by Alex Cabagnot before Alapag, likely playing inspired ball after getting reunited with girlfriend actress LJ Moreno, made two free throws to tie the count (57-57) at halftime.

Coke, which dropped its third game in as many meetings against Talk 'N Text this season, appeared to have gained momentum after Cabagnot and Nic Belasco opened the third quarter with back-to-back treys for a 63-59 lead. But the Tigers went on a shooting slump in the next seven minutes that led to their downfall.

TNT capitalized on it and uncorked a 30-15 run that ended with a 3-pointer by Cardona for an 89-78 lead.

Coca-Cola made another searing rally anchored by former Talk 'N Text import J.J. Sullinger and managed to cut the deficit to 89-87 going into the last 12 minutes.

But their hopes to turn the game around dimmed two minutes in the fourth as the Tigers turned the ball over in each of their next five possessions.

Sullinger led the Tigers with 32 points and had 11 points. Cabagnot and Taulava added 18 points apiece and Mark Telan had 17 for the Tigers, who fell to 1-2. (DBC)

The scores:

Talk N' Text 133 - Wade 38, Alapag 26, Dillinger 13, Cardona 12, Peek 12, Castro 8, De Ocampo R. 8, Carey 8, Reyes 4, Ritualo 4, De Ocampo Y. 0.

Coke 111 - Sullinger 32, Cabagnot 18, Taulava 18, Telan 17, Buenafe 9, Belasco 8, Macapagal 6, Avenido 3, Enrile 0, Calimag 0, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 29-25, 57-57, 89-87, 133-111.


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