CLEAN ELIMS SWEEP FOR TALK N TEXT
Talk n Text distinguished itself the first team in over two decades to sweep its elimination round assignments as the Tropang Texters, minus injured import Richard Howell, squeezed out a 92-91 win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.
The Tropang Texters went perfect in the elims, and Howell has over a week to heal his shoulder injury before the team plunges back into action in the quarterfinals, enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage versus the eighth-seed team.
Alex Cabagnot dished out his best game in a long, long while in an effort to nail his first win in a GlobalPort uniform.
But the Tropang Texters had another thing in mind.
The Texters accomplished their goal with GlobalPort import Evan Brock splitting two crucial free throws with 1.9 ticks to go.
As Larry Fonacier grabbed the rebound, the Texters completed a nine-game sweep while keeping the Batang Pier winless since their last victory in the Philippine Cup last January.
Talk n Text became the first team to go unbeaten in the elims in 24 years.
Ranidel de Ocampo topscored with 17 points, Kelly Williams piled up 16 points and 11 rebounds and Danny Seigle also fired away 16 markers as the Texters survived Cabagnot’s 29-point game also laced by seven assists and six rebounds.
Fonacier and Nino Canaleta contributed 15 and 10 points for the Texters who bucked the absence of Howell, pulling through in the tough contest marked by eight deadlocks and 16 lead changes.
De Ocampo tossed in back-to-back treys then completed a three-point play off a foul by Mark Macapagal as Talk n Text gained some breathing space at 85-80 with 3:55 left to play.
The Texters kept a safe distance until Cabagnot drained his fourth triple in the night with 3.8 ticks left, making it 90-91.
Then came a good break for the Batang Pier as De Ocampo split from the stripe with 3.0 ticks to go.
Alas, Brock, drawing a foul a Harvey Carey in GlobalPort’s last offensive thrust, also split from the line.
Brock missed two of 10 free throws in the night where he logged 26 points and 18 rebounds.
GlobalPort has one last chance to notch a win in the tourney against Barako Bull Sunday. (SB)
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 92 – De Ocampo 17, Williams 16, Seigle 16, Fonacier 15, Canaleta 10, Castro 5, Alapag 4, Aban 3, Salamat 2, Baclao 2, Carey 2, Reyes Rob 0, Reyes Jai 0, Reyes Ryan 0.
GLOBALPORT 91 – Cabagnot 29, Brock 26, Salva 10, Salvador 8, Nabong 6, Macapagal 6, Matias 2, Sharma 2, Custodio 2, Yee 0, Chua 0, Garcia 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19, 40-41, 63-67, 92-91
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