TALK N TEXT REGAINS SHARE OF LEAD
Fighting with greater determination after a triple-overtime loss to Purefoods Star Saturday, Talk n Text walloped San Miguel Beer, 113-93, to regain a share of the lead going into its last game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta ColiseumWednesday night.
With huge games from import Ivan Johnson and Fil-Am rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, the Tropang Texters scored a vengeful triumph over the Beermen that assured the PLDT/Smart ballclub at least a spot in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
Johnson piled up 41 points, 19 rebounds and five steals while Ganuelas drilled in a career-best 22 points as Talk n Text caught up with idle Purefoods on top at 7-3.
The Texters get a shot at the Top Two if they beat the Alaska Aces in a critical duel Sunday also at the Big Dome.
Meanwhile, the Beermen practically kissed their playoff hopes goodbye in reeling with a seventh loss against only three wins.
The Texters got back at the very team that swept them in the best-of-seven semifinals last conference.
Johnson and his teammates became more determined to beat the Beermen following their heart-breaking loss to the Hotshots in a triple-overtime grind in Davao.
“It’s good that we’re able to get the same effort from the players we had Saturday. Mas matindi pa ang willingness to win,” said Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico.
Uichico was aware that they’re back on top, but didn’t want to take a deep look at their situation.
“I don’t check. Going to this game, the mindset was try to win our last two games as much as possible,” said Uichico.
The Texters nailed the first one as they battered the Beermen practically on all fronts of the game in pulling off their most lopsided victory in the mid-season tourney.
Talk n Text hit at a remarkable 52 percent clip (45-of-86) as against San Miguel’s 38-percent shooting (33-of-86).
Ahead by just eight, 56-48, at the start of the second half, the Texters broke away in the third quarter in pummeling the Beermen, 32-14.
Ranidel de Ocampo contributed 17 points while Larry Fonacier added 12 for the Texters while Arizona Reid and June Mar Fajardo paced the Beermen with 32 and 20 points in the game temporarily stopped by an asthma attack suffered by Arwind Santos’ mother in the stands in the third quarter.
Talk n Text actually pulled away right in the opening quarter, 26-9, but San Miguel recovered and raced ahead at 30-28.
But there was no more San Miguel comeback after Talk n Text cut loose again in the third period. (SB)
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