Ahead by 23 early and looking headed for a cruise, Talk ‘N Text needed to dig deep before prevailing and make coach Norman Black say that there is something that needs fixing.

The Tropang Texters suddenly blew cold in the second half and needed an extra five minutes before pounding out an 87-80 decision of Barako Bull Friday night to stay in solo third place in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Things looked rosy for the Texters early as they stormed to a couple of 23-point spreads, the last at 37-14 before allowing the Energy back into the game and almost losing at the end of regulation. “Fortunately, in the end, we held on to win the game,” Black told scribes with a huge sigh of relief. “There’s something we need to fix. But a win is a win and we will take it whichever way we can get it.” Talk ‘N Text, which is seeking to become the first team in the 39-year history of the league to win this conference four straight seasons, rose to 5-2 in the standings with its third straight win and fourth in its last five outings.

And Jason Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo both played big in the stretch as the Texters labored hard with the absence of former MVP and top point guard Jimmy Alapag because of a groin injury.

Castro finished with 22 points and nine assists, while De Ocampo added 17 points and 10 rebounds, capping a big offensive night with five straight points left in extension that eventually gave the Texters an 83-80 lead they never lost.

Barako Bull blew several chances to win the game in regulation, forged at 71-all after Willie Miller, a former two-time MVP whom the Energy acquired in the off-season, drained a triple with 29 seconds left.

But it was also Miller who failed to sew it all up again at 83, when, after being fouled by Larry Fonacier while taking a triple attempt with 45.5 seconds left, he missed all three free throws awarded him.

Though he did get the ball back after a scramble resulting from his third miss, the Energy couldn’t buy a bucket after JC Intal, who scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and in overtime, muffed a triple try long.

Barako Bull was actually held scoreless in the final 1:30 – after the last of two straight Mick Pennisi triples had forged the game’s last tie at 80.

Nonoy Baclao and Castro then made two charities each to put the game to bed for the Texters, who dealt the Energy a sixth straight loss after Barako Bull had opened up their season with two victories over formidable teams.

Meanwhile, Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra, hulking sides lording it over everyone else in the standings, battle separate foes on Saturday seeking to keep their respective winning streaks intact before clashing on Christmas Day.

The Boosters slug it out with Rain or Shine in the 5:45 p.m. contest, while the Gin Kings mix it up with Alaska starting at 3:30 p.m.

Petron is undefeated in seven games and has had the lead since the start, while the Kings have lost just once also in seven outings and are looking more and more fearsome as the tournament goes on.

Both the Boosters and the Gin Kings have done damage on the field using big frontlines made up of the centers of the league's future.

June Mar Fajardo is fast becoming Petron's main man, while the 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar and 7-foot rookie Greg Slaughter are slowly but surely becoming unstoppable for the Kings.