#PBA2015 COMM CUP SEMIS GAME 4 PREVIEW: TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS vs PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS – PUSH

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Will TNT win and push its way to the Finals, or will PUR win and push this series to a fifth and final game? The Texters leaned on spectacular shooting in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead, but can they replicate that in Game 4 against a PUR team whose back is against the wall? Speaking of having their backs against the wall, the big question for PUR is will they be able to push back in Game 4 and push the series to a Game 5 rubber match? They did many good things in Game 3, winning the rebounding and inside scoring, but they just ran into a TNT squad that was red hot from three-point area.

These are some things to watch in Game 4:

1. EXPLOSIVE TNT

Both TNT & PUR actually shot around the same rate from the field (roughly 56%), but the big difference was in TNT’s outside shooting. The Texters took a big risk attempting 32 three-pointers (nearly 50% of their total FGs), but it paid off as they connected on 19 of those attempts. This was their best 3pt shooting performance of the season, and it was a sight to see, but it’s something that will be difficult to repeat in Game 4. If TNT can approximate that kind of shooting, though, then this series could be over after Game 4.

Game 3 FG shooting: 

TNT – 38/68 – 55.9%

PUR – 45/81 – 55.5%

Game 3 3pt shooting:

TNT – 19/32 – 59.4%

PUR – 4/12 – 33.3%

2. CASTRO WAS THE HOTSHOT

The guy who typified TNT’s torrid shooting display was none other than Asia’s #1 PG, Jayson Castro. Castro exploded here, making all but one of his nine 3pt attempts to finish with 27 points. He was also awesome in terms of playmaking and defending, recording 10 assists and 3 steals. He outplayed anybody PUR put on him — Alex Mallari, Mark Barroca, or PJ Simon. If he can play really well again, TNT should have a big chance of closing out this series.

Castro Game 3 stats: 27pts, 10asts, 3rebs, 3stls, 8 triples, 9/14 FGs.

3. JOHNSON GETS IT DONE

Ivan Johnson rebounded from a ho-hum Game 2 by being more dominant in Game 3, waxing hot from practically everywhere on the floor. He also did his job on the glass, leading TNT with 14 rebounds while also handing out 4 dimes. His PUR counterpart Denzel Bowles still had better stats, but Johnson tempered that a bit with his own strong performance.

Johnson Game 3 stats: 26pts, 14rebs, 4asts, 1stl, 1blk, 8/16 FGs.

4. DOUBLE AA AARON ABAN

Another guy who was able to give TNT a HUGE lift was average joe Aaron Aban. Aban stepped up off the bench, playing a productive 32 minutes. He dropped a career-high 17 points, making all but one of his FG attempts. His scoring wasn’t the only big lift for TNT as he also played great defense on James Yap, limiting the 2-time MVP to just 11 points.

Aban Comm Cup stats: 4.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 0.7apg, 47.6 FG%

Game 3: 17pts, 3rebs, 1asts, 2 triples, 7/8 FGs

James Yap Games 1 & 2: 16.5ppg, 4/6 3pts

James Yap Game 3: 11pts, 0/3 3pts

5. PUREFOODS RULES THE PAINT

The Hotshots, in contrast to Game 2, adjusted their game in the paint. They went to Marc Pingris more in the paint, and he didn’t disappoint, hitting 5 field goals and putting up 10 points. As a team, PUR ruled the inside scoring, more than doubling up TNT’s output, 54-26. This is something they should continue to exploit even though they lost Game 3. If PUR can continue to power their way around the rim, they should have a solid chance of extending this series.

Pingris Games 1 & 2: 3.0ppg, 3.0 FG attempts per game

Pingris Game 3: 10pts, 5/10 FGs

6. DENZEL DOES IT AGAIN

Denzel Bowles also continued his dominant performance, putting up 39 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. By the numbers, he was clearly the best player on the floor, but a big mistake in the endgame (stepping) contributed to PUR’s downfall. Bowles is the favorite to win Best Import this conference, but he might have to exert himself a little bit more and find a higher gear if PUR is to steal this series from TNT.

Comm Cup stats pre-Semis: 31.3ppg, 49.7 FG%, 23.4 FG attempts per game

Semifinals: 41.0ppg, 63.7 FG%, 26.7 FG attempts per game

7. SIMON’S STRONG SHOWING

PJ Simon put up a strong showing for PUR in Game 3, scoring a conference-high 18 points on 8/13 FG shooting. This was his best game of the Commish Cup, but, sadly, even that wasn’t enough for PUR to win. That’s not to say Simon should take a backseat. On the contrary, he should continue to step up as PUR will need his production to neutralize the scoring of TNT’s backcourt.

Games 1 & 2: 7.5ppg, 0.5rpg, 40.0 FG%, 33.3 3pt%

Game 3: 18pts, 3rebs, 61.5 FG%, 66.7 3pt%

8. HOTSHOTS HIT THE BOARDS

Aside from inside scoring, PUR also ruled the rebounding battle. They lost the battle of the boards in Game 2, 41-56, but they bounced back in Game 3, outworking TNT on the glass, 48-30. Five Hotshots collared 5 or more rebounds, and this is a good sign for them. If they can keep the Texters off the glass, the Hotshots should be able to limit TNT to just one shot per possession, and that would drastically increase PUR’s chances of survival.

Game 2 rebs: 

TNT – 56

PUR – 41

Game 3 rebs:

TNT – 30

PUR – 48

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