The start was magical for the Tropang Texters.  For the Llamados, it was just abysmal. And then, everything turned upside down.

On a rainy and lazy Friday night, Derby Ace worked extra hard and earned an extra special victory, coming ferociously back from a 16-point gap and playing much steadier down the stretch in a 104-97 victory over Talk ’N Text in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Held to only 18 points in the first quarter, the Llamados exerted a 36-point effort in the second. That wiped out a 38-22 deficit, enabled them to seize the lead at halftime, 54-53, before one big shot after another at crunch time were delivered in the win that dealt the mighty Talk ’N Text squad its only second defeat in seven games to drop into a tie for second spot with Ginebra.

“I can’t ask anything more from the guys,” said winning coach Jorge Gallent. “We started out flat, but the players just didn’t want to give up. I just hope that this is the start of something good.” It should. Or else, the Llamados might be looking at the possibility of an unexpected playoff-miss.

That hard-earned victory was only the second in seven games for Derby Ace, and the Llamados still are at the abyss of the 10-team standings, although they have found company in Meralco with similar slates at the halfway mark of the 14-game elimination round.

Yet beating a team like Talk ‘N Text could really be a sign of positive things.

Derby Ace saw action without Marc Pingris and Kerby Raymundo, who are still out because of muscle tears in the right leg, and Rafi Reavis, out with a fractured middle finger (right hand).

This time, though, big men didn’t spell the difference. The guards and a newcomer did.

James Yap, June Simon and Jerwin Gaco each collected personal conference-high outputs, and the Llamados hit half of their 20 attempts at the three-point area in producing their highest output in the conference. Jonas Villanueva also had 17 points.

“I’m very happy that our guards were able to match up with their (Texters) guards,” said Gallent.

What looked like a rout after that 16-point margin ended in a tense contest. The game was tied for the last time at 88-88 when Derby Ace created a distance it never relinquished.

Yap, who scored eight of the Llamados’ last 14 points, hit a triple, and Gaco connected on a follow-up to make it 93-88. Yap hit another three-pointer to push the Llamados ahead at 96-89, before Talk ’N Text unleashed a furious stand in the final two minutes.

Jared Dillinger converted on an easy layup to cut the deficit to within 98-95 with 1:23 left to play, but Yap was there again to repell the rally. The reigning MVP drove strong to the hoop, used his left hand to launch the attempt against Kelly Williams, and the ball trickled in for a 100-95 count.

After Williams hit Talk ’N Text’s last field goal, Villanueva knocked in a long two, practically sealing the outcome.

The Kings, on the other hand, were all business against an Air21 team that saw action for the second time in three nights. And the most popular ball club, far from what transpired earlier, cruised to a 107-81 win, the most lopsided by far this conference.

Ginebra now has won four straight games since a 69-68 defeat to San Miguel Beer last Oct. 15, its confidence rising and perhaps thinking that a guard-heavy lineup could just be enough to make it all the way to the deepest stages of the conference.

“I think we’re playing very well on both ends of the floor,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. “Gumaganda ang chemistry as the tournament goes on.” The Kings led by as many as 34 points, 84-51, early in the fourth quarter. To show that Ginebra was nowhere near anxious moments, it was already ahead by 80-51 going into the final quarter, limiting the Express to no more than 20 points in each of the first three periods.

The Express, who rallied to beat Powerade last Wednesday (102-95), dropped to 3-4 (win-loss).

Uichico, however, realizes that not every game will be like this.

“We have to prepare ourselves in the coming games,” said Uichico. “Hindi naman lahat ng games ay blowout. We have to be able to come out on top in close games, too.” Next up for Ginebra is Alaska, which incidentally sees action Friday against Meralco in Victorias City.

“In my opinion Alaska is one of the top teams in the league,” said Uichico. “It will be a test for us.” Ronald Tubid scored 16 points to pace the Kings, and five other players scored in double figures. Willie Miller shot 5-of-8 from the field to contribute 13 points while Enrico Villanueva had 12 points and 11 rebounds.