Harris stars in Texters win over Globalport

Finally getting an impact player – again – for an import, Talk ‘N Text is looking fearsome once more.
Paul Harris started his third tour of duty with the Tropang Texters in an auspicious way Friday night, shooting six triples on the way to 38 points to lead Talk ‘N Text to a 97-82 ripping of Globalport and first place in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The smallest import in the lot, Harris shook off the effects of a long flight from France just two nights before to lead the Texters in re-establishing their character.
“He helped us a lot tonight despite getting just two practices in with the team,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said after his Texters moved within another win of securing a top four slot – and a twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the playoffs.
And now that they are armed to the teeth once again, Black is setting his sights on a familiar target – the No. 1 spot.
The Batang Pier, who couldn’t exploit the height and heft advantage that import Dior Lowhorn had, slumped to their fourth straight defeat and are now at 1-5, tied for No. 8 with Meralco and Barako Bull.
Only two teams will be eliminated after the single round elimination, with the top four teams needing to win just once against the bottom half teams. The match-up with be No. 1 vs No. 8; No. 2 vs No. 7; No. 3 vs No. 6 and No. 4 vs No. 5.
“You want to have the easiest assignment back to the Finals,” Black answered when asked if securing No. 1 spot remained a priority. “It (No. 1) is still a target. Preferably Top two because that little bit of advantage really helps you. It saves you one game.” The win was the fourth straight in a 5-1 record for the Texters, who used their talented local lineup to win their previous three games with the ineffective Rodney Carney, an NBA veteran who never adapted to the Philippine brand of ball.
Carney got the call to join the Texters when original import pick Othyus Jeffers was barred from playing after just one game. Jeffers, it turned out, still had an old contract dispute with former NBA team Minnesota, and the Texters would have been fined an astronomical amount had they continued playing with him.
That’s why Black called the past week for them as their time for survival, having made do with a mediocre import and coming out of it unscathed.
Talk ‘N Text found itself alone at the top after San Mig Coffee, which could complete a Grand Slam with a repeat title run here, got waylaid in the second game by the Alaska Aces, 93-84.
Alaska’s import, Henry Walker, also provided the inspiration for his team, shooting 32 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and issuing six assists in a highly-inspired effort that allowed the Aces to snap a three-game slide to rise to 3-4 overall.
And it was a victory worth remembering since the Aces came into the game just two nights after being manhandled by 51 points by Rain or Shine.
“I wish I could say that I did something great, but I didn’t,” Alaska coach Alex Compton told reporters later. “The guys showed up and showed what they are made of. They played just really well and showed their heart.” San Mig dropped to 4-2 with the loss and into a tie for third spot with idle San Miguel Beer and Air21 going into the final two weeks of the elimination round.
Incidentally, the Beermen get the chance to wriggle out of that tie Saturday night when they battle a struggling Meralco side that will try to stave off elimination. The Aces led by as large as 22 points early in the fourth period, 82-60, after two Cyrus Baguio free throws off an Allein Maliksi foul, and this was the time when San Mig coach Tim Cone didn’t bother leaving his seat anymore.
Vic Manuel added 14 points, Baguio 13 and Gabby Espinas 11 for the Aces.
Joe Devance fired 14 points and the highest pointer for the Mixers, who got just 11 points from import Marqus Blakely.