TALK ‘N TEXT KEEPS POISE IN THE END, TAKES GAME 1
Executing much better most of the way, Talk n Text delivered the first punch versus Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup finale.
The Tropang Texters beat the Elasto Painters on three-point shooting and, towards the end, on defense, hacking out an 87-81 victory in Game One of the best-of-seven title showdown witnessed by a crowd of over 14,000 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Texters led by as many as 18, 33-15, early on but needed clutch shots by Larry Fonacier and Jayson Castro to fend off the E-Painters’ endgame charge.
“We’re playing Rain or Shine. They will fight you till the end,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black, relieved they salvaged the game.
Overall, Black was satisfied with their performance, enabling them to dictate the tempo almost throughout.
“That was a good start for us but at the same time we have to prepare for Game Two. Otherwise, they would bounce back,” Black added.
Unshaken by the loss was Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“Kahit talo, positive signs pa rin ang nakita namin sa game na ito,” said Guiao. “We just didn’t shoot well. But as badly as we played, I still think we had the chance to win the game, and that’s what we wanted to do – to hang around. As long as we hang around, we can grind out some win.”
Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo, both in contention for the Best Player of the Conference award together with Arwind Santos, Calvin Abueva and Sol Mercado, tossed in 16 points each and grabbed seven rebounds apiece.
And together with Fonacier, Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes and Pamboy Raymundo, they combined for 10-of-23 treys as against the E-Painters’ 4-of-21 three-pointers.
“I think the stats and the numbers will indicate we beat them in most departments, except three-point shooting. They had six more treys than we did, and that’s 18 points. Really, that’s where it happened,” said Guiao.
Nonetheless, the E-Painters charged to within three, 76-79, with 3:15 to play only to muff key shots at the finish.
The Tropang Texters eased some pressure as Fonacier banged away a triple, then after Jeff Chan hit a short jumper, Castro answered with a strong drive to the hoop.
Down by five at 79-84, the Elasto Painters continued to battle but eventually lost it as Paul Lee missed a layup then Chan committed a turnover.
Lee struggled with 4-of-14 field goals and the whole Rain or Shine team finished with a poor 34.6 percent clip. Jervy Cruz top scored for the losing team with 13 coming off the bench.
Curiously, Black shuffled more men than Guiao, digging deep from his roster and playing even Bam Gamalinda, Pamboy Raymundo.
“Some of the guys got fouls earlier and I had to go deeper to the bench. That’s gonna be in the whole series. Similar to coach Yeng, I have confidence with my players,” said Black.
Jarred Dillinger was the only other TnT player who finished in double figures with 13 with Fonacier, Jimmy Alapag and Ali Peek adding at least eight apiece. Kelly Williams contributed 12 rebounds and six markers.
The Texters seized control early, 15-5, as the Elasto Painters went 1-of-11 from the field and committed three turnovers after making the game’s first basket through Larry Rodriguez.
After the E-Painters closed in at 15-19, the Texters uncorked a 14-to-nothing run in a four-minute stretch bridging the first two quarters as TnT took the 18-point spread.
RoS whittled down the gap to 12, 39-51 at halftime as JR Quinahan scored on a short stab then Chan nailed two charities off a foul by Gamalinda in the last 37 seconds.
The Texters dominated the opening half with better ball movement that had them hitting at a 43.9-percent clip as against the E-Painters’ 33.3-percent shooting.
Castro, Alapag and Reyes spiked TnT’s offense in the first half with a combined 4-of-6 three-pointers. RoS, on the other hand, made only two of 10 tries. (SB)
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