TALK N TEXT KNOTS COUNT, 1-1

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Talk n Text leaned on a strong start and on a stronger finish as the Tropang Texters got back at the Purefoods Star Hotshots, 93-77, in Game Two of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night.

Denzel Bowles had another hot shooting night but Ivan Johnson put on the clamps on his Purefoods counterpart in the fourth quarter, helping the Texters pull even after dropping the series opener, 94-100.

Talk n Text backcourt players Jayson Castro and Kevin Alas made 10 points apiece in the payoff period, including the biggest baskets in a 26-7 closing flurry the Texters used to foil the Hotshots’ bid at taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Texters and the Hotshots instead break a 1-1 tie as they slug it out in Game Three on Thursday in the same playing venue.

“Kung natalo kami, masyadong mahirap na para sa amin. What we got is a fair shot at the Finals,” said Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico.

Talk n Text squandered an early 10-point lead on Purefoods’ strong start in the third but the Texters recovered in time to pull through in the volatile game marred by a near brawl as the two teams were making their way to the lockers.

Johnson and Marc Pingris, who figured in a double-technical foul late in the game, engaged in a verbal tussle that sparked the commotion.

“Both teams are trying to find a way to win and it’s a given that emotions are high. I can’t tell our players to back down and Purefoods won’t back down either,” said Uichico.

“That’s the way it is,” said Uichico of the emotional and physical battle also marred by a flagrant foul penalty one Allein Maliksi incurred on Matt Rosser in the third canto.

Coming off a 49-point game, Bowles again showed up with his hot shooting hands, scattering 33 points in the first three quarters of play.

He tossed in 12 in the third quarter and James Yap added 10 as the Hotshots wiped out an early 10-point deficit, 11-21, seized control and remained in the lead, 70-67, early in the fourth.

That was before Alas drained back-to-back treys to spark their big closing rampage.

“Kevin held the fort when Jayson was out on fouls. Malaki ang contribution niya,” said Uichico.

Johnson made the damage on the defensive end, holding Bowles to two in the final stanza.

“That’s what’s good with Ivan. He gets going if he gets going but his defense is always there,” said Uichico of their import.

Playing catch-up basketball in the entire first half, the Hotshots raced ahead, 46-40, as Bowles and Yap combined for a 12-to-nothing binge at the start of the final half.

Then the two teams fought through six lead changes and three deadlocks in the third quarter after the Texters dominated the first 24 minutes of play. (SB)

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