TROPANG TEXTERS EYE 3-1 LEAD

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Jayson Castro escaped any injury while Cyrus Baguio was spared of suspension assuring intact lineups of both Talk n Text and Alaska for Game Four of their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four duel at the MOA Arena in Pasay Friday.

If anything, the series only simmers hotter with the Tropang Texters and the Aces facing each other again following their rugged and emotional match Wednesday.

The Texters try to tighten the noose on the Aces, going for a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven showdown.

A CT scan revealed no serious injury to Castro, who took a bad fall after being hit hard on the face by Baguio in a fastbreak play.

Castro held on to his face while down on the floor for several minutes. He later got up to take free throws then headed to their locker room to be evaluated by the team’s medical staff.

The Texters, however, showed their champions’ heart, keeping poise, composure and resiliency in the heat of the battle and going on to take Game Three, 93-79.

TnT coach Norman Black expects the series to be more intense in the next game but also expects his team to be ready.

“It’s gonna be a long series, very competitive, very physical and we just have to be ready for it. Jayson (Castro) took a pretty good hit on the break but that’s part of basketball, part of the series,” said Black.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo believes his team got carried away by emotion Wednesday and paid dearly for it.

“Talk n Text has the experience and we need to adjust. We also cannot be carried away with the disappointing calls. We have to play through it. We need to play basketball and focus on that instead,” said Trillo.

Passing a test of character in Game Three, the Texters have a chance to move in the threshold of a third straight all-Filipino Finals Friday.

Elbows flew all over the floor and hard fouls were given here and there but the Texters really stayed focused and pulled through to regain the upper hand in the series.

“We just have to keep playing and try not to lose our focus,” said Black.

Kelly Williams played his best game in the series, coming through with 23 points and nine rebounds in the game marred by the ejection of Baguio and Calvin Abueva on flagrant and technical fouls.

A total of five flagrant infractions were called, including one in a hard collision between Sonny Thoss and Jarred Dillinger, sparking a heated confrontation in the third quarter.

Gabby Espinas got involved in the drama, causing his outright banishment from the floor – a call later corrected by the referees, allowing the player to be back on the floor a little later.

The 6-foot-4 forward, however, didn’t finish the game just the same, fouling out late in the game.

The Texters fought with a resolute defense and a balanced game as they avenged their 88-100 defeat in Game Two.

Larry Fonacier, who was 0-of-7 from beyond the arc in the first two games, found his range, collecting 21 points while Ranidel de Ocampo added 12. (SB)

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