MANILA - Talk 'N Text came out with a perfect game plan in dismantling Smart Gilas national team, 103-70 and notch its second straight win in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Tropang Texters also got a big break when Gilas American center CJ Giles was fielded in the first 5 minutes in the game and was never inserted in again by Serbian coach Rajo Toroman.

Without the presence of 6’11 Giles in the inside lanes, Talk ‘N Text attacked the basket at will and breezed through with the lopsided victory.

“We caught a break as Giles was only played at the start of the game,” said Tropang Texters head coach Chot Reyes who had five players in double figures in scoring.

“We had a lot of preparation on him because we know the Smart Gilas team executes very well and to be able to beat well, we must have the energy to match them and execute the game plan properly,” he added.

Mark Cardona led Tropang Texters with 16 points while Jimmy Alapag added 14 and 6 assists. Jared Dillinger and Jason Castro chipped in 12 apiece for Reyes.

The win shoved Talk ‘N Text in a tie at the top spot of the team standing together with Barangay Ginebra, Sta. Lucia Realty and Alaska.

Mark Barroca led the aspirants with 16 points and 9 assists while JV Casio and Japeth Aguilar each had 14 markers for the guest team.

Smart Gilas played without Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Chris Tiu due to injuries.

But despite missing its two key players, Smart Gilas fought the defending champion toe to toe in the first quarter and trailed by only two, 17-19, before surrendering a 46-36 halftime lead.

The Tropang Texters opened the second half with a decisive 19-4 run to wrest control of the game, 65-40, and never looked back since then.

It was the second straight loss by Smart Gilas, which dropped a 115-105 decision to Burger King in a game marred by a mauling incident involving Whoppers guard Wynnie Arboleda.

“The best way to beat this team is to play hard because they execute their game plan flawlessly,” said Reyes, who had also a 2-0 start in the last All-Filipino tournament on their way of beating Alaska in seven games in the finals.

Sta. Lucia beats Elasto Painters

Meanwhile, the Realtors needed extra five minutes before dispatching Rain or Shine, 95-90, to barge into the four-team logjam for the top spot.

Kelly Williams posted an all-around game with 28 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals to lead Sta. Lucia to a 2-0 start while handing the Elasto Painters their second straight loss in as many games.

Gabby Espinas also had a double-double game for Sta. Lucia with 13 points and 15 rebounds while Dennis Daa and Nelbert Omolon each had 12 apiece for coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Kelly delivered again for us while Bitoy (Omolon) came out strong in overtime,” said Fernandez.

Ryan Arana led Rain or Shine with 19 points while Gabe Norwood added 18. Rookie Jervy Cruz had a personal-high 14 markers for the Elasto Painters who played minus top guard Sol Mercado due to dehydration.

Norwood sent the game in extra inning with a difficult fall-away basket over Reye, 84-all, with 2.7 ticks in regulation. Espinas had the chance to win it for Sta. Lucia but his jumper was short.

Omolon and Espinas joined forces in overtime as they anchored a crucial 6-2 exchange to pull ahead at 92-86 with 1:34 remaining.

Beermen snap skid

San Miguel Beer finally barged into the win column with a 117-99 shellacking of Burger King. It was the first win of the Beermen in three tries.

Former Whopper Arwind Santos posted a game-high 28 points and grabbed a career-best 18 rebounds against his former team to lead San Miguel in ending the mini slump.

The Beermen and the Whopper are tied in the team standings with 1-2 win-loss card each.

Mike Cortez and Mick Pennisi added 16 and 14 markers respectively for San Miguel.

Vetean forward Richard Yee paced Burger King with 17 points while Egay Billones and JR Quinahan chipped in 16 and 14 points respectively for coach Yeng Guiao.