TALK ‘N TEXT TIES SERIES AT 1-1
Fast fading away from the series, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters dug deep from within them and avoided plunging in a hole that is as good as death.
The Texters battled back from nine points down at the start of the fourth quarter and forced a 1-1 deadlock with the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinals with a crucial 85-79 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.
Ranidel de Ocampo overcame foul-trouble situation, pouring in 10 points in the fourth quarter including a three-pointer that broke Ginebra’s back and the hearts of predominant of the crowd of over 17,000 in the playing venue.
It was a gutsy, crucial three-pointer De Ocampo made, being 0-of-6 from beyond the arc from Game One to the closing stretch of Game Two.
“I have to take it. At yon, pumasok,” said De Ocampo of the shot deciding the outcome of the well-fought match.
“It’s a virtual do-or-die game for us because 0-2 is a difficult situation. Going to the fourth with a nine-point deficit, we said this is it. We have to survive and tie the series or we’re in big trouble. And we showed urgency,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.
Even with a game apiece, the Texters and the Kings break the tie at the resumption of the series after the PBA All-Star Week in Digos, Davao del Sur from May 1-6.
Both teams are likely to be healthier then. Out of the series and probably the early part of next conference, however, is Talk n Text guard/forward Jarred Dillinger who suffered an injury as he got involved in a car accident early Saturday morning.
“Some were saying we have a deep lineup. It’s time to show it,” said Black.
In this particular game, the Texters willed themselves to victory, preventing the Kings from moving to within a game of a first finals in two years.
And alive is Talk n Text’s hopes for successive crowns following its Philippine Cup conquest.
“I’m really happy we decided to play defense tonight. That’s gonna be key in the series,” said Black. “Unlike the last game, we played defense with more focus and more intensity. That’s what will take us to make the finals.”
Jerome Jordan made just 14 points but provided help with his huge presence in the middle.
Offensively, Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag and De Ocampo showed the way, each one firing at least 16 points each.
De Ocampo stood out as he rattled in 10 points in the last quarter playing through five fouls.
Ginebra was still within striking distance when the 6-foot-6 forward drained a gutsy triple making it 83-79 with 33.7 ticks left.
Curiously, Talk n Text was 4-of-25 from the three-point land in the series before De Ocampo buried the trey. In Game One, the Texters misfired 17 of 18 attempts.
Jayjay Helterbrand knocked in a gliding jumper at the buzzer to close Ginebra’s crucial third-quarter onslaught giving the Kings the 68-59 advantage.
Down by three, 44-47, at the turn, the Kings seized command in the third period on a key run fueled by hustle and gutsy plays by Vernon Macklin, LA Tenorio, Kerby Raymundo and Josh Urbiztondo.
Raymundo inflicted Talk n Text a blow in drawing De Ocampo’s fourth foul a little over a minute into the third.
Returning in the fourth after a 10-minute rest, De Ocampo helped the Texters back into the game.
Alapag drilled in 11 points plus a twinner while Castro added 10 markers as the Texters led by three at the half.
The Texters opened with a 12-2 run but the Kings slowly got into the game, surging ahead at 28-27 on back-to-back treys by Helterbrand and Urbiztondo at the onset of the second period. (SB)
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 85 – Castro 22, Alapag 17, De Ocampo 16, Jordan 14, Carey 6, Al-Hussaini 5, Reyes 4, Aban 1, Raymundo 0, Fonacier 0, Ferriols 0.
BARANGAY GINEBRA 79 – Raymundo 17, Macklin 15, Urbiztondo 15, Helterbrand 12, Tenorio 8, Ellis 6, Taha 2, Baracael 2, Maierhofer 2.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 47-44, 59-68, 85-79
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
