HOTSHOTS GUN FOR 2-0 BULGE
Expecting Denzel Bowles to be a marked man, Purefoods Star coach Tim Cone has challenged the local Hotshots to help carry the load as they go for a decisive 2-0 lead versus Talk n Text at the resumption of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday.
“Denzel played such a wonderful game in Game One. We expect Talk n Text to really focus on him, so everyone is going to have to carry their own load in Game Two,” said Cone.
Game Two is set at 7 p.m. with the Hotshots virtually putting one foot into the Finals with a repeat of their Game One triumph.
Bowles came through with a personal PBA best of 49 points while James Yap and Mark Barroca got away with crucial hits at the finish as the Hotshots drubbed the Tropang Texters, 100-94, Wednesday night.
And the Hotshots hardly took a break in preparation for Game Two.
“This is the game we need,” said Cone, determined to win the contest. “It’s always great to getting that game, but if you can’t follow it up in Game Two then you’re back to zero.”
Realistic they can’t afford to go 0-2 down in this series, Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico said they must buckle down to work from the opening tip.
“We have to start strong,” said Uichico, ruing their sluggish first half in Game One.
With Bowles’ overpowering performance, the Hotshots led by 16, 31-15, right in the opening period and then increased the bubble to 18, 41-23, before closing the half at 51-36.
So strong was Bowles’ start that he outscored the entire Talk n Text team, 18-17, in the opening quarter.
He added 11 in the second period and matched his average of 31 points by drilling in Purefoods’ first basket in the second half.
Talk n Text actually waged a fourth-quarter comeback but ran out of firepower in the homestretch.
The Texters fought to within one at 83-84 and were still very much in the game before Yap and Barroca seized the moment at the finish.
Yap scored on a layup then Barroca came up with a big steal and a magical shot to beat the 24-second shotclock buzzer as Purefoods regained a safe lead at 97-89 with time down to 47 seconds. (SB)
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