PHI – TnT explode in Game 6 to clinch All Philippine title

MANILA (PBA All Philippine Cup) - Playmaker Jimmy Alapag was once again in his element but this time he also received splendid support from Ryan Reyes as the two steered Talk N Text to an explosive 95-82 win over San Miguel Beermen in Game 6 on Friday, thus sealing the best-of-seven Finals series 4-2.

Reyes scored a team-high 17 points and had a sensational first half while Jimmy Alapag – co-recipient of the Finals MVP with Jason Castro – added 15 points and 10 assists for the Tropang Texters, who completely dominated the game.

Castro had been the driving force in TnT’s wins in Games 1 and 2 of the series.

Ali Peek also had 15 points, Harvey Carey finished with 13, Ranidel De Ocampo contributed a dozen, while Kelly Williams came through with a brilliant all-around game of 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals in a balanced scoring parade for the Tropang Texters.

TnT raced to a 14-point lead in the early part of the game, and when the Beermen threatened to rally the Texters consolidated with two 12-0 runs in the second half.

Jay Washington had a game-high 29 points and also another game-high 18 rebounds, but that was the only consolation for the Beermen on a night when the Texters message was clear.

Dondon Hontiveros scored 11 points and Arwind Santos and Danny Ildefonso added 10 apiece.

“We only had the word ‘BEST’ on the board in our locker room for this game. We wanted to give our best effort and best game. We were able to achieve that,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes, who had steered TnT to a similar victory in 2008-09.

“It’s the first time in the series that we led in the first quarter. We knew they would make a comeback but if we can stick with them, we’ll win in the end,” Reyes added. “We didn’t want to play them in a close game. So we kept on pressuring them and they gave way in the end.”

“First of all, we set out to play 96 hard minutes, we got the first 48 done last Wednesday and that would have gone for naught if we didn’t follow up (tonight),” Reyes said after winning the sixth title in his career.

Reyes also became the first coach to win two titles each with three different teams counting victories with Purefoods, where he started, and with Coca-Cola early in the last decade.

“I’m just so proud of the guys,” said Alapag. “Last conference (loss to Alaska) was the worst loss of my career.”

“I think with this win, it’s mission accomplished, I couldn’t be more proud for this guy right next to me,” he added, referring to Castro.

FIBA