Texters outplay Chinese club team, 75-68

Talk N' Text displayed its precise offense and tough defense to deal Dongguan New Century its second consecutive loss after a 75-68 triumph Friday in the 2010 Smart Philippine Invitational Challenge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Tropang Texters broke the game wide open in the fourth quarter and never looked back. They got solid production from their veterans Ranidel de Ocampo, Jared Dillinger, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Cardona and Harvey Carey. But it was the second unit of coach Chot Reyes that spelled the difference in the final canto to propel Talk N' Text to the win. Leading those players were second-year pro Jason Castro, JR Quinahan and newly-acquired Ryan Reyes as the Tropang Texters turned a slim 58-54 lead at the end of the third into a commanding 71-58 edge. Reyes capped that big run with a lay-up in 3:18 mark of the final period. Talk N' Text, whose 13-game winning streak is one of the longest for the PBA in years, is one of two pro ball clubs competing in this four-day pocket tournament. Barangay Ginebra, which lost its opening-day game against Jordan, is the other squad. They are competing as guest squads and their games have no bearings. The Tropang Texters' next game will be on Sunday as they battle the third placer. Dongguan, which played minus American shooter Kevin Kruger because of a calf injury he suffered against Smart Gilas the other day, needs to beat Jordan on Saturday to at least have a chance to make it to the finals. The bulky Daniels registered 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists against the tall Chinese squad, which missed the Chinese Basketball Association playoffs after placing 11th in the regular season. De Ocampo had 13 points while Alapag dished out seven assists in just 18 minutes. Carey had eight points and four boards. Cardona finished with 10 markers, including two teardrop shots. Although undersized, the Tropang Texters had 42 rebounds compared to Dongguan's 28 and had a 42-20 advantage inside the paint. - RCJ, GMANews.TV