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Tropang Texters dump Express in Game 2, move closer to PBA finals


Talk ‘N Text is now on the verge of clinching a second straight finals stint in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) — this after the Tropang Texters made short work of Air21 Sunday night, 110-97, in Game 2 of their Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum. Behind Paul Harris and Jimmy Alapag, the Tropang Texters went off to a jackrabbit start and pounded the Express with an avalanche of baskets, which the top-seeded team used as cushion in coasting to the lopsided win. Up 2-0 in the short best-of-five series, the reigning Philippine Cup champion can book its second consecutive trip to the title series with another victory on Game 3 this Wednesday also at the Big Dome. In all, Talk `N Text has won its last 10 games dating back from the eliminations. The team has not lost since dropping a 98-103 setback to Pilipinas-Smart Gilas on Feb. 25 for its lone loss this conference. Despite winning the first two games of the series by an average winning margin of 12.5 points, the Tropang Texters, who defeated the San Miguel Beermen in six games to claim the All-Filipino title, said they can’t be complacent against a team as dangerous as the Express. Talk `N Text won the series opener, 97-90, in a game where it led by as much as 21 points. “We just have to keep our focus and play the way we’ve been playing," said Harris. “We know they (Express) have a good coaching staff out there, and they’ll be ready to come at us in Game 3. Harris led the Tropang Texters with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field, aside from grabbing six rebounds. Ryan Reyes and Alapag had 15 each, while presiding over the team’s hot start when the Tropang Texters raced to a 28-11 lead after the first 12 minutes of play. The lead ballooned to its biggest at 22, 92-70, entering the final quarter. Alpha Bangura finished with 18 to show the way for Air21. - KY, RCJ, GMA News

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