TNT Regains Edge as Sta. Lucia Bounces Back

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters survived a 39-point scoring onslaught by Dondon Hontiveros to trip the undermanned San Miguel Beermen, 110-106, Sunday night, (January 18, 2009) thus gaining a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven KFC PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series.

In the first of the double-header played at the Araneta Coliseum, the defending champion Sta. Lucia Realtors used a stifling defense to choke Alaska , 76-65, cutting the Aces’ lead to 1-2 in their own semifinals duel.

Jimmy Alapag buried three clutch baskets late in the fourth quarter to give the Texters the lead they never relinquished.

Hontiveros caught fire in the second quarter, banging in four triples and two charities while also snatching four rebounds and two assists. He buried four other three-point shots – a personal record. It was Hontiveros’ third 30-point performance in San Miguel’s last five games.

But all this went for naught as he sputtered in the end game, missing two crucial shots that could have won the game for the Beermen.

Alapag stole the limelight in the fourth quarter as he drained the last of his five triples to keep TNT ahead, 107-105, with 1:52 left in the game.

The Beermen went blank from there.

San Miguel was behind by as many as 14 points in the first quarter. But the Beermen launched a blistering run in the second quarter to take a 64-61 halftime lead.

San Miguel played minus Dorian Pena who sat out the game due to a sprained right foot. Jay Washington also missed the game as he had to attend to his wife who gave birth at a hospital.

“What a game,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes gushed. “This San Miguel team is getting better while becoming depleted. The reason is that they’re able to maximize the talents of their players.”

In the other semifinals contest, Bitoy Omolon knocked in 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help Sta. Lucia notched its first win in the series.

“Many are saying that Bitoy is our key in these playoffs. Tonight he stepped up his game and got us back in the series,” said Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Realtors took the lead for good in the second quarter, then raced to a 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Alaska held a 19-18 lead after one quarter but Christian Coronel opened the second period with a basket before Omolon scored seven straight points.

Capitalizing on the Aces’ string of errors, the Realtors scored 24 points on Alaska ’s 28 turnovers.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Kelly Williams scored only eight points on 3-of-16 shooting. But he compensated for this with his tenacious defense and his 12 rebounds. Overall, the Realtors outrebounded the Aces, 50-42.

Actually, both the Aces and the Realtors had a poor shooting night with Alaska sinking just 23 of 58 shots while Sta. Lucia had 27-of-76.

Despite being the primary target of Sta. Lucia’s suffocating defense, Willie Miller still managed to score 21 points for Alaska . Joe Devance chipped in 15.

Their efforts were nullified, however, as the two accounted for 12 of the Aces’ turnovers.

Games 4 of the two best-of-seven duels are set on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.