source: abs-cbnnews.com

Talk ‘N Text scored another lopsided win over Burger King, 115-104, to stay close with the league-leaders Friday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Mark Cardona torched the Whoppers anew with 32 points to lead the victory of the Tropang Texters, who are now tied with Purefoods Tender Juicy for third spot with 8-4.

The Whoppers are now also a full game behind second-running San Miguel Beer (9-3) and two and a half with Alaska (10-1).

It was Talk ‘N Text’s eighth straight win over the Bert Lina franchise since June 2008 and proved that its 118-105 win in the first round meeting, where it came back from 30-point hole, was no fluke. Cardona had 40 in that win.

Nic Belasco added 17 markers while Harvey Carey and Renren Ritualo contributed 14 and 13 points respectively for the defending champion.

Gary David netted a conference-high 26 points for Burger King, which stayed in seventh position with 4-8 slate.

The Whoppers actually had a good start, leading 24-20 after the first period but the Tropang Texters outscored them in the middle quarters, 74-52, to break the game wide open and started the final canto with a 94-76 cushion.

The lead ballooned to as much as 21 points, 94-73, but Burger King never got closer than 10, 97-107, as Cardona hit a triple and Ritualo banged in a jumper to seal the win for Talk ‘N Text.

Realtors end two-game skid

Sta. Lucia Realty went to Kelly Williams and rookie Josh Urbiztondo in repeating over the slumping Coca-Cola, 98-92, to keep its bid for an outright semifinals seat flickering.

Williams fired game-highs 23 points and 17 rebounds while Urbiztondo chipped in 22 markers highlighted by 6-of-10 shooting from the rainbow territory to help the Realtors in halting a two-game losing streak for a 6-5 win-loss mark.

Joseph Yeo added 14 while Dennis Daa chipped in 11 for coach Boyet Fernandez as his wards spoiled the return of Asi Taulava for the Tigers, who absorbed their 8th straight defeat to go down deeper in the team standings with 1-11 mark.

“We’re happy that we came up winners again. The players worked hard to get this win because we want to achieve our goal which is to make it to the top five,” said Fernandez, who also beat Coke in the first round, 95-76.

“Kung makaabot sa semis, bonus na lang. We really want to show that this team is also a force to reckon with in this tournament,” he added.

Alex Cabagnot led Coke with 15 points and was responsible in giving his team a 49-45 lead at halftime. RJ Rizada and Mark Macapagal each had 13 markers for interim coach Bo Perasol, who is now 0-3 since taking the coaching cudgels from Kenneth Duremdes.

Barakos spoil Jamal’s debut

Barako Bull ruined the league debut of American cager Jamal Sampson after posting a 96-91 win over Smart Gilas in their game.

Jojo Duncil and rookie Bryan Faundo each had 16 points for the Energy Boosters. Benedict Fernandez contributed 14 while Ogie Menr and Chad Alonzo chipped in 12 and 10 points respectively for coach Leo Isaac.

Dylan Ababou paced the Nationals with 19 points. The 6’11 Sampson, who replaced CJ Giles as the candidate to be the team’s naturalized player, was held down to just 4 markers in his first game with Smart Gilas.

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