TNT SENDS NLEX, NEW HEAD COACH BACK TO EARTH

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FOR debuting NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, the euphoria of an NCAA championship quickly dissipated in the fiercely-competitive air of the Philippine Basketball Association Friday.

Fresh from leading the San Beda Red Lions to a fifth straight collegiate title, Fernandez had a rude welcome on his return to pro coaching after being away for seven years as the Road Warriors got blown off the Smart Araneta Coliseum by the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 103-81, establishing an early sibling rivalry between the sister teams in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Jay Washington, a recent acquisition from GlobalPort, immediately paid dividends for the trade, scoring 19 points while Kelly Williams added 18 as the Tropang Texters, who couldn’t overcome the absence of two key players on opening day in falling to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 101-81, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, broke ahead in the first quarter, faltered briefly in the second, before completing the rout in the second half.

Washington led the Tropang Texters with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds while adding two assists and two steals.

Jayson Castro, the player TNT selected third overall in 2008’s Rookie Draft after trading Washington to San Miguel Beer in exchange for the pick, added 15 points and nine while Kelly Williams chipped in 18 markers.

The win was TNT’s first under new mentor Jong Uichico, who took over from Norman Black, now with the Meralco Bolts.

“We’re trying to get things together as soon as we can. Syempre medyo nangangapa pa ako, nangangapa pa din ang mga players. It’s really an adjustment period. We’re trying to adjust sa isa’t-isa as soon as possible,” said Uichico, who owns nine PBA titles (seven with SMB and two with Ginebra).

“Maganda yung may panalo ngayon para we can look at the positive on the mentality and the system that we’re trying to put in. As practices go on, we can improve. Yun lang naman ang goal namin,” added Uichico.

With the 6-fot-7 Washington scoring eight points in the opening period, TNT quickly asserted itself and opened a 28-15 lead. NLEX trimmed the deficit to 34-39 at the break.

However, the Texters regrouped and used a big third quarter run, outscoring the Road Warriors, 36-21, with Williams pouring in 10 points in the period that gave TNT a 75-55 lead entering the final frame.

Talk ’N Text led by as many as 22 points, 79-57, early in the fourth quarter.

TNT and NLEX are now tied with a win-loss record of 1-1.

The Texters couldn’t overcome the absence of two key players against Barangay Ginebra. But Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Ranidel de Ocampo suited up earlier than expected, leaving Jimmy Alapag still missing from TNT’s active duty.

Jonas Villanueva led NLEX with 19 points, while Aldrech Ramos added 14 points. Veteran center Asi Taulava, the oldest player in the PBA at 41, was held to 12 points after he scored 21 – 12 in the fourth quarter – in a come-from-behind 101-96 victory against Globalport last Tuesday. (ET)

The scores:

TALK N’ TEXT 103 – Washington 19, Williams 18, Castro 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Carey 7, Fonacier 7, Reyes Ryan 5, Reyes Rob 5, Alas 4, De Ocampo 4, Labagala 2, Seigle 2, Aban 2, Espiritu 0.

NLEX 81 – Villanueva J. 19, Ramos 14, Cardona 13, Taulava 12, Villanueva 10, Canaleta 5, Borboran 3, Baloria 3, Apinan 2, Raymundo 0, Camson 0, Villarias 0, Arboleda W. 0, Arboleda H. 0.

Quarterscores: 28-15, 39-34, 75-55, 103-81

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