MANILA: Jimmy Alapag is playing with just one good leg, but it’s good enough to prop Talk ‘N Text up.
The tiny point guard again delivered at the crunch for the Tropang Texters — with a hamstring pull and all — in a 117-112 victory over hard-fighting Sta. Lucia that kept Talk ‘N Text within striking distance of an automatic Final Four slot in the Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Alapag played just 16 minutes but delivered seven crucial points in the stretch, including the back-breaking triple which made it 113-107 in the waning seconds and eventually got the Texters improving to 10-5 overall. Mac Cardona breached the 30-point mark for the fourth time in their last six games, leading the Texters with 34 even as six others scored in twin digits in the high-scoring game.
The Realtors dropped to 8-6 and their chances of gaining automatic entry into the semifinals suffered a huge blow despite getting a career-high 32 markers from starting point guard Ryan Reyes.
“For Jimmy, it’s all about heart,” Reyes told scribes of Alapag later. “He just begged (management and coaching staff) that he would want to suit up.”
The Realtors actually had a 102-98 lead entering the final four minutes after baskets coming from Ryan Reyes and Joseph Yeo before Alapag and Cardona scored four points each in an 8-0 spurt that had the Texters taking the lead for good.
“Sta. Lucia is playing great,” Reyes said. “We were just able to pull out all the stops we needed when we needed them.”
With one big run starting the second period, Rain or Shine got erased the stigma of one embarrassing first round loss with an 88-72 victory over Barako Bull in the first game.
The Elasto Painters held the Energy Boosters to a measly nine points in that crucial stretch while dropping 38 of their own to overhaul a 34-26 deficit and zoom to an insurmountable 64-43 advantage which took the fight out of Barako Bull.
Rain or Shine finally played to its potential — at least offensively — as the Painters, who lost six straight games to open up their campaign here, rose to 4-10 with the win to stay well within the wildcard phase.
Aside from arresting a three-game slide, the victory somehow eased the pain of the Painters’ 89-81 defeat to the Boosters in the first round, a game where Rain or Shine trailed by as many as 25 points.
The loss, meanwhile, was the 10th straight for the Boosters, who remained in the cellar with a 2-12 card and possibly just within another loss from being eliminated.
With four games remaining in their elimination schedule, the Boosters are again in danger of suffering the same fate as they did in the last two conferences — getting an early vacation.
Sol Mercado scattered 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field while dishing out assists. Lefty Jeff Chan chipped in with 15 points. Mike Hrabak had a rare start and finished with 12 – all on three-point shots – while rookie Jervy Cruz contributed 10 markers and six boards.
Rookie Rogemar Menor led the Boosters with 18 points and 10 rebounds while starters’ Aris Dimaunahan and Chad Alonzo combined for 25 points.
Rain or Shine looked like it was headed to another embarrassing loss, trailing, 29-22 at the end of the first 12 minutes and giving the Boosters the confidence they need.
But Mercado took charge and finished with one of his most impressive games in the season.
The Painters held the Boosters to 27.3% shooting from the field in the third quarter on 6-for-22 shooting, while shooting 55.6 percent after connecting on 10 of their 18 attempts.
