By MANILA BULLETIN ONLINE
MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas came back and weathered a Talk ‘N Text storm in the fourth period to escape with a 103-98 victory in the first game of their scheduled meeting at the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Smart Gilas showed what the team was made of, battling the Texters with heady plays and constantly wearing them down by running up and down the court.
Marcus Douthit made a good showing as well, making 16 points and hauling down a record 25 rebounds.
Smart Gilas also drew superb performances from skipper Chris Tiu, JV Casio, Andy Barroca and Aldrech Ramos as they kept in step with the vaunted TnT onslaught.
Ranidel de Ocampo made a notable showing as well. He scored 18 points but managed to chip in only 5 of that in the second half. Kelly Williams finished with 14 points but was held scoreless in the final period.
Talk ‘n Text import Paul Harris led the way for his team with 25 points.
Douthit was ably backed up by Marcio Lassiter who finished with 16 points. Tiu and Ramos had 15 points each.
Box Scores:
Smart Gilas-Pilipinas 103 – Lassiter 16, Douthit 16, Tiu 15, Ramos 15, Casio 14, Barroca 13, Barracael 12, Lutz 2, Ballesteros 0, Slaughter 0, Ababou 0.
Talk ‘N Text 98 – Harris 25, De Ocampo 18, Williams 14, Castro 13, Fonacier 10, Carey 6, Alapag 6, Peek 6, Dillinger 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 28-25, 50-51, 78-80, 103-98
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