What was expected to be an explosive match-up with San Miguel Beer turned out to be a breeze for Talk `N Text. Jimmy Alapag waxed hot in a big third-quarter run, which the Tropang Texters used as a cushion to pull away for good against the Beermen in a 97-83 win in Sunday's main game of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome. Alapag drained 18 of his game-high 27 points from the rainbow territory as he presided over the Tropang Texters’ offensive onslaught from which the Beermen never recovered. Their second straight win in as many games gave the Tropang Texters the early solo lead in the season-opening meet. “I just wanted to come out tonight and help the team after letting them down the last time against Derby Ace," said the pint-sized guard who was held to just three points in Talk `N Text’s 87-76 demolition of the Llamados last week.
Scores: Talk N' Text 97 – Alapag 27, Carey 20, Williams 16, Dillinger 12, Peek 10, Fonacier 6, Reyes 4, Castro 2, Aban 0, Alvarez 0. San Miguel 83– Washington 27, Hontiveros 13, Seigle 10, Santos 9, Cabagnot 7, Artadi 4, Racela 4, Pennisi 3, Yeo 2, Tugade 2, Pena 2, Miranda 0. Quarter scores:Quarterscores: 19-15, 44-34, 72-61, 97-83
Alapag, who tumbled hard on the floor following a tough, solid pick provided by San Miguel big man Dorian Pena, went 6-of-10 from the three-point range as he towed the Tropang Texters to a commanding 68-52 lead late in the third period, sending their supporters led by team owner Manny V. Pangilinan into a frenzy. “It was a physical game. There was a lot of bumping and shoving out there," said Alapag about the incident with Pena. Harvey Carey came through with a double-double for Talk `N Text with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Kelly Williams and Jared Dillinger added 16 and 12 each, including the game’s highlight-reel play that saw Dillinger throw a lob pass for a perfect two-handed slam by the high-flying Williams. "We were able to capitalize against San Miguel, which was coming off just a day of rest and plunging back to action Sunday. We were hoping to catch them on a day that they might not be able to play well," said Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes. Jay Washington led San Miguel’s losing cause with 27 points, including four three-pointers in the second half. He also had 10 rebounds and five blocks against his former team. With Washington hitting nine points from beyond the arc, the Beermen managed to trim the gap to within 76-70 early in the payoff period. But Williams hit a free throw and Alapag and Dillinger drained back-to-back three-pointers to push back Talk `N Text’s lead to 85-70 midway in the quarter. Hontiveros had 13 and Danny Seigle 10 for San Miguel, which evened its card to 1-1. -
RCJ, KY, GMANews.TV 
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