Games today

(Ynares Arena, Pasig City)

2 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Meralco

4:35 p.m. — NLEX vs Ginebra

7 p.m. – Blackwater vs. Rain or Shine

TALK ‘N Text gave comebacking coach Chot Reyes a warm welcome as it overcame a sluggish start to pull off an 86-79 win over Terrafirma Dyip in the resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Their rhythm on both ends were obviously lacking in the whole opening quarter but the multi-titled Tropang Giga never allowed that to persist and got their acts going in the second quarter.

The result gave the Tropang Giga the needed lift in the game on the way to gifting returning coach Chot Reyes a fitting welcome in his first game back in the league – and with the franchise – since 2012.

Veteran Jayson Castro was at his usual best, cutting loose with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in a yeoman job well complemented by JP Erram, Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy.

Erram tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, Rosario added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Pogoy chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and five assists.

With the win, the Tropang Giga, who had won four titles with Reyes in the past, have now joined opening day winners Alaska, Rain or Shine and Meralco.

Last Friday, the Aces stunned Blackwater Bossing, 103-77, while the Elasto Painters survived a late comeback by NLEX for an 83-82 win before the Bolts gave NorthPort an 85-63 spanking in the nightcap.

It was a sorry loss for the Dyip who failed to draw much from top overall pick Joshua Munzon, who went 3-of-15 from the floor with six points.

The Dyip moved within 77-70 on split freethrow by Juammi Tiongson with over five minutes remaining, but TNT struck for back to back baskets, both on offensive rebound each from Erram and Jayson, with TNT posting an 81-70 lead.

Still in the game, the Dyip kept fighting and managed to threaten at 79-84, on two freethrows by Tiongson off Rosario’s foul. That was the best they could muster, for after the two teams swapped offensive miscues, TNT scored through Erram to seal the win, 86-79.

Aldrech Ramos led the Dyip with 17 points, Rashawn McCarthy added 13, Philip Andreas Cahilig 12, and Tiongson 10, but they were not enough to prevent them from tumbling down.

The Dyip actually buried more triples with nine as against TNT’s three, but the latter merely relied on its sheer talents, especially during the second quarter where they started to make their moves.

“I really didn’t know anymore how to prepare for the game, the routine, especially that there are a lot of restrictions,” said Reyes, the only five-time winner of the Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year trophy.

“It was a weird in that sense,” added Reyes. “They (Dyip) beat us in the effort department especially in the fourth quarter,” admitted

The scores:

TNT Tropang Giga (86) – Castro 17, Erram 15, Rosario 14, Pogoy 10, Marcelo 9, Kelly Williams 7, Khobuntin 6, Ryan Reyes 5, Kib Montalbo 3, Exciminiano 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0, Washington 0, Javier 0.

Terrafirma Dyip (79) – Aldrech Ramos 17, Rashawn McCarthy 13, Cahilig 12, Tiongson 10, Adams 7, Laput 6, Munzon 6, Alolino 2, Gabayni 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Balagasay 2, Calvo 0, Camson 0, Batiller 0. Celda 0.

Quarterscores: 17-20, 45-33, 71-59, 86-79