“We’re a really, really terrible defensive team right now,” Reyes said.

Even then, their offense is so good that the Texters could get away with it. Sometimes.

Outrebounded but not necessarily outworked, Talk ‘N Text nearly lost a 21-point deficit and survived a blazing performance by Meralco’s new import, hanging on to eke out a 109-106 victory Friday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Colizeum.

Paul Harris was the man Reyes pin-pointed as the one who couldn’t step up on the defensive end, but the Talk ‘N Text import was glad enough to come away with 32 points in a game where the Philippine Cup champion trailed by 12 early, led by as many as 21, only to see that imposing advantage virtually evaporate after Chamberlain Oguchi, the Bolts’ new import, presided over a blistering rally in the final period.

“We almost paid dearly for my stubbornness in thinking that Paul Harris can play defense,” Reyes said. “He sucked. And his man Oguchi almost killed us.”

Oh yes, Oguchi almost did.

Oguchi scattered a conference-high 43 points on 13-of-26 shooting, but it was not until he misfired on a three-point shot in the last seven seconds that the Texters heaved a sigh of relief.

The rebound after that miss was credited to Larry Fonacier, who was fouled and then converted two free throws that sealed the outcome, 109-104, with 4.1 seconds left to play.

Before that, though, Oguchi was sensational.

He scored 18 first-quarter points to help Meralco establish a 26-14 lead, before scoring 23 second-half points capped with another triple that shoved the Bolts to within 106-102 with 51 seconds to go.

Mark Cardona, who had a struggling night shooting 4-of-14 from the field, then pushed Meralco closest with a completed steal off a pass by Jimmy Alapag intended for Ranidel de Ocampo. In the ensuing play, Harris was fouled and split his free throws that set up the crucial possession for the Bolts.

In a game that came in stark contrast, crowd-darling Ginebra rolled to a 107-92 win over a hapless Powerade side to snap a two-game slide.

The Kings led by as many as 91-66 on an all-alone lay-up by Mark Caguioa, as Ginebra clinched its second win in four starts to get back on the winning track after back-to-back setbacks to Alaska (95-94) and Derby Ace (96-89).

Nate Brumfield, joked off-court as Willie Miller’s elder brother, poured in 32 points and collected 12 rebounds for Ginebra, which dealt Powerade its fourth loss in five games.

“It’s still a long way to go,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. “We need to keep pace with the teams that have two or three wins already.

Every game is going to count from this day on. No time to relax or take things for granted.”

Caguioa submitted 14 points for the Kings, who trailed 27-19 after the first quarter. The Kings outscored the Tigers, 32-16, in the third period to set the tone of the rout.

It was in the second quarter, however, when Ginebra turned things around. Brumfield went 4-of-4 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line for 13 points while Caguioa had nine to steer Ginebra to a 47-44 lead at the half.

Gary David top-scored for the Tigers with 32, but import Russel Carter was held for the second straight game to under 20 points. Carter, the No. 1 import in points production (32.3 points per game, average), was limited to a his conference-lowest 15 points.

In clinching their third win, the Texters tied Alaska at second spot with 3-1 (win-loss) records behind undefeated Rain or Shine and Smart-Gilas, which plays San Miguel Beer Saturday.

“We gave up 106 points because we were terrible on defense,” Reyes said, “and it goes back to our import not defending well. We were lucky to escape (with the win).”

The Texters came away with the victory despite losing the battle off the boards big time, 57-40. But the three-time champion franchise made up for it by scoring more on points off turnovers, 25-13.

Jimmy Alapag added 19 points and Ryan Reyes and Ranidel de Ocampo contributed 14 apiece. Kelly Williams pulled down 10 rebounds for the Texters, who will next play undefeated Rain or Shine on Sunday.

Oguchi, an American-Nigerian brought in to add the outside threat first import Anthony Danridge could not provide, also had 11 rebounds. Sol Mercado and Gabby Espinas scored 18 apiece for the Bolts, who have dropped six games in a row dating back to the Philippine Cup quarterfinals against Derby Ace.

Meralco is now in danger of missing the playoffs in this short tournament where four ball clubs will be eliminated after the preliminary stage.