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ALL-FILIPINO MASTERS
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Talk n Text moved to the threshold of a return stint in PBA finals as the former Philippine Cup three-peat champ bested Rain or Shine in a game that turned to a virtual all-Filipino duel at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.
Gilas Pilipinas mainstays Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro and Jimmy Alapag delivered the goods as the Tropang Texters repulsed the Elasto Painters, 94-87, for a commanding 2-0 lead in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown.
The Texters try to match a franchise record run of 13 wins as they go for the clincher on Friday over at the Big Dome.
The Elasto Painters, the Philippine Cup losing finalists, need to win three in a row if they’re to salvage a second straight finals. Worse, they face this task uncertain if import Wayne Chism can still come back in the series.
Already without Chris Tiu and Jervy Cruz, the E-Painters suffered an even bigger blow with Chism going down with a suspected MCL sprain midway through the second quarter.
Though saying he’s ready to play through pain, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao opted not to play him anymore.
Nonetheless, the E-Painters refused to quit, but the Texters refused to be beaten.
The Texters pulled it off also with an all-Filipino crew as import Richard Howell fouled out with over four minutes left to play.
“(Let’s) give credit to the RoS team. They fought with their hearts out (minus Chism), but in the end, it was Jimmy Alapag who made the big plays,” said Black.
Alapag, firing away 14 points, made a killing more with his brilliant playmaking.
He knocked in clutch outside shots earlier and, with the E-Painters still threatening at the finish, dished off two crucial assists that had Kelly Williams and Castro nailing dagger baskets.
De Ocampo was at the forefront of their attack early on, making mincemeat of defender Raymond Almazan as he topscored with 20 points.
Castro added 19 markers while Williams also chipped in 14 as the Texters closed in on a first PBA finals in five conferences.
“We have a goal in mind and that is to reach the championship. We’ll try to finish this on Friday,” said Black.
Due to early fouls, Howell was limited to playing 25 minutes, finishing with 12 markers and 11 boards.
For Rain or Shine, Beau Belga, Ryan Arana, TY Tang and Almazan carried much of the fight after losing Chism on a bad fall with 5:11 left in the second period.
Though playing all-Filipino, the E-Painters even surged ahead at 69-65 and were still very much in the fight at 87-91 inside the final minute. (SB)
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