Fonacier free throws seal Texters' Game 1 semis win

Defending champion Talk 'N Text survived Petron's huge fourth-quarter comeback to pull off a scrambling 87-83 win in the opener of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series Thursday night at the Astrodome. Larry Fonacier scored half of his team-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws that secured the Tropang Texters's win and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes, although elated with the win, also expressed dismay after the game. "We should close out games better," Reyes said, obviously not happy at how his wards wasted a 73-60 lead early in the fourth quarter. "It was a very disappointing way to close the game." Game 2 is on Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Alex Cabagnot made up for a miserable first half by scoring all of his 20 points in the final two quarters to lead the Boosters, who also got 18 markers and 14 rebounds from Rob Reyes and a 20-10 production from top gunner Arwind Santos. It was actually Santos who rallied Petron back from that 13-point deficit, the last of his scoring output on a side jumper moving the Boosters to within 85-83 in the closing seconds. But in an attempt to stop the clock, the lanky forward out of Far Eastern University was forced to use his sixth and final foul on Fonacier and the Talk 'N Text wingman calmly sank both free throws for the marginal score. The Boosters went to Chris Lutz for a three-pointer but the Petron rookie missed the shot.           "It's just one game. All it gives us is a head-start. For me, the important thing was to give guys playing time especially Jimmy (Alapag), Ali (Peek) and Ranidel (De Ocampo)." All three are coming off injuries, with Peek playing his first game after being shot in the nape two months ago. Kelly Williams added 14 points and Jason Castro contributed 10 and eight rebounds. The Tropang Texters are seeking to become the first franchise since Great Taste in 1985 to win the Philippine Cup in successive seasons. — JVP/KG, GMA News Scores: