HOWELL POWERS TALK N TEXT TO FINAL 4
Talk n Text won’t go wrong going to Richard Howell against Barangay Ginebra.
Howell overpowered his matchups against local defenders, and the Tropang Texters overwhelmed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 97-84, to book the first slot in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night. (Click HERE for full boxscores)
It’s practically an all-Talk n Text show as Howell imposed his will, sending the Texters to an early semis entry either against the Meralco Bolts or the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The Kings found no answer to the bull-strong TnT import, and will now have quite a while to contemplate on things after becoming the third casualty in the mid-season tourney next to the GlobalPort Batang Pier and the Barako Bull Energy.
“Credit goes to the players for coming out wanting to win. They played with their hearts out and they deserve to be in the semis,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.
No way Black could overlook the splendid performance of Howell.
“It’s a little difficult for Ginebra because they’re asking locals to stop Howell. Howell is a pretty good player. He’s a pretty good player in the States and he’s a pretty good player here. He’s really a strong kid at 23,” said TnT coach Norman Black.
“The break also did him well. He’s really energized tonight,” Black added.
As the Texters dumped the ball in the hands of their power-playing import, Howell pounced on any defender thrown at him, delivering a personal conference high of 41 points that went with 22 rebounds, two steals and one assist against three errors in 38 minutes of play.
He fully asserted himself at the start of the third quarter and the Texters pulled away at 60-40.
“We shot the ball well and our defense clicked. We turned a little sloppy in the end, but that’s acceptable,” said Black.
Howell easily imposed himself against local defenders, drawing three quick fouls from Greg Slaughter then making mincemeat of Billy Mamaril and JR Reyes.
He went on a blitz while the TnT wing defenders did their job to neutralize Gabe Freeman.
Talk n Text set the tone of the match early as Slaughter picked up a third foul just six minutes into the contest.
Slaughter was efficiently taken away, getting only six points and five rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
Freeman collected 22 rebounds but made only 15 points on a woeful 2-of-17 field shooting and 11-of-16 charities.
Mark Caguioa paced the losing team with 19 markers. (SB)
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