BY CHRISTINE MONCADA

BANKING on a searing third-quarter run where Jimmy Alapag and Mac Cardona staged a two-man show, Talk N Text stunned erstwhile solo leader Sta. Lucia Realty last night 115-113 in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alapag scored all of his 18 points in the third while Cardona had 14 of his team-high 35 points as the Phone Pals bounced back from an 86-91 defeat to Magnolia last Sunday. Alapag’s 18 points in a single quarter was the highest so far for a local player this conference.

The win, the third in five games for Talk N Text, created a temporary three-way tie for first among the Realtors, Red Bull and Coca-Cola, pending the result of the other game between the Tigers and Ginebra at press time.

The Phone Pals sustained their fiery run in the fourth, stopping whatever rally the Realtors tried to mount.

"Before the game we figured Sta. Lucia is the best team right now so we tried to make it as simple as possible: we have to match their energy to shake their confidence a little bit although we could’ve done a better job in the second quarter," said Sta. Lucia coach Chot Reyes.

The Phone Pals came out strong and led 31-22 in the first quarter but relaxed a little bit in the second quarter, allowing the Realtors to gain momentum.

Sta. Lucia went into the halftime break enjoying a 56-53 cushion courtesy of a halfcourt heave by Joseph Yeo.

"I was upset because the boys relaxed in the second quarter. In the dugout, I told them that if we are going to win this game, we will win it from the heart and not by some game plan," Reyes said.

"Mac made a few mistakes in the first half, he had bad shot selections, so I sat out for a little bit. He came back ready to play in the second half. It’s a good sign for the team," Reyes added.

Talk N Text import Aaron McGhee finished with 29 points on top of 19 rebounds, three assists and a steal.

His Sta. Lucia counterpart, Wesley Wilson, banged in 29 points, grabbed six boards, dished one assists, got two steals and had a block but the Realtors still absorbed their first defeat after starting the conference with three consecutive wins.