TALK ‘N TEXT needed a fourth-quarter outburst from import Richard Howell to turn back the upset-conscious Blackwater five, 88-78, to gain a share of the lead of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Howell unloaded 19 of his 29 points in the final 12 minutes, as he anchored the Tropang Texters’ surge in the final canto for their second straight win in as many games and joined Meralco at the top of the standings with 2-0 mark each.
The reigning Best Import winner also had 21 rebounds and five assists as he completely dominated the new Elite reinforcement and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Marcus Douthit.
“It started with our defense. When we played defense in the second half, our shots started to fall,” said Howell, who engineered an 11-3 run at the start of the fourth to turn a 60-66 deficit into a 71-69 lead.
Blackwater center Bryan Faundo tied the game for the last time with a jumper, 71-all, but Howell again sparked a decisive 13-0 blast to erect an 84-71 cushion with four minutes left.
The Elite last threatened at 78-84, but time was not on their side as they absorbed their second straight loss and 13 overall dating back last Philippine Cup.
Jayson Castro was the only other Talk ‘N Text player to hit double figures with 22 markers.
Faundo led Blackwater with 19 points, while Douthit, who was a replacement for the team’s original import Chris Charles, had 14 markers for Coach Leo Isaac.
Val Acuña and Bryan Heruela chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively for the Elite.