Ginebra dragged into sudden death as Texters live to fight another day

Harvey Carey came off the bench to log a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Texters. Dante Peralta

JIMMY Alapag went on a three-point shooting rampage in the final minutes to power Talk ‘N Text to a 113-99 win over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday night and forge a playoff for the eighth spot in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 5’7” Alapag missed his first four attempts from beyond the arc, but managed to nail his last three attempts to rescue the Tropang Texters, who kept their hopes of making the knockout quarterfinals alive.

By snapping a five-game losing skid, the Texters tied Ginebra at 3-6 (win-loss) and forged a sudden-death playoff with the same team on Monday for the final ticket to the knockout quarterfinals.

“From our end, we had a much better defensive effort today especially in the first half that gave us opportunity to play again tomorrow (Monday),” said a relieved Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.

Black isn’t in a celebratory mood, though.

“The good thing is we won so we have a chance to fight another day. We’ll just play Ginebra for another game in less than 24 hours,” said Black. “Hopefully, they are just as tired as we are at this point.”

The Gin Kings could blame no one but themselves in falling this low in the season-ending conference.

Ginebra dropped a 106-113 overtime loss to Globalport on Friday, which dashed its hopes for a guaranteed No. 3 seed in the quarterfinals. Now they are in danger of missing the playoffs altogether.

Import Courtney Fells, in only in his second game with Talk ‘N Text after replacing Tony Mitchell, led the Texters with 26 points, five rebounds and three blocks, while Harvey Carey came off the bench to log in a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Ali Peek chipped in 16 while Alapag added 15.

Ginebra drew 31 points from import Dior Lowhorn, while Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio added 29 and 18 points, respectively.

The scores:

Talk N' Text 113 - Fells 26, Carey 18, Peek 16, Alapag 15, Fonacier 12, Castro 11, Ferriols 8, De Ocampo 5, Anthony 2, Reyes R. 0, Aquino 0, Reyes J. 0, Aban 0.

Ginebra 99 - Lowhorn 31, Caguioa 29, Tenorio 18, Baracael 7, Helterbrand 6, Ellis 2, Maierhofer 2, Wilson 2, Mamaril 2, Labagala 0, Raymundo 0.

Quarterscores: 30-30, 62-54, 79-79, 113-99