Talk ‘N Text extends win streak to 6, downs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – There’s room for only one comeback in one game day. 

Larry Fonacier delivered the dagger three-pointer on Sunday, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and made sure there will be no Barangay Ginebra San Miguel comeback as the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters came away with a 94-87 victory to extend their win streak to 6 in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.  

Ginebra was down by as much as 16, 85-69, with 8:19 left in the game after Fonacier made good on a baseline jumper. 

But the Gin Kings, who couldn’t catch a break throughout the contest and were simply exchanging baskets with the Texters, managed to hold Talk ‘N Text scoreless for more than 5 minutes from the 6:59 mark of the fourth until there was 1:32 left. 

TNT import Richard Howell last scored for his team at that point via a crossover dribble and drive to the hoop over rookie Greg Slaughter, 87-74. 

Ginebra, led by LA Tenorio, eventually made the necessary defensive stops and scored on crucial possessions to make it a 6-point game, 87-81. 

Ginebra’s ball

A controversial call came with 2:19 left in the game where Talk ‘N Text was awarded the possession after the leather went out of bounds as a result of Ryan Reyes and Leon Rodgers fighting for the loose ball. 

Upon looking at the video replay, it became clear that Reyes held the ball last, which should’ve made it Ginebra’s possession. However, video reviews of plays can only be made under the 2-minute mark of the game, which meant the referee’s call stood. 

“I think it should’ve been their ball,” Talk ‘N Text head coach Norman Black admitted. “But it was one call the entire game. It happens like that. We’ve been on the other end of that a lot this year. It’s just one call the entire game.”

After the tough break, Ranidel de Ocampo, who was a machine for TNT from the get-go, regained some momentum for the Texters as he scored two of his team-high 28 points to stop the bleeding somewhat with 1:32 left. 

But Ginebra was still able to come to within 4, 89-85, with 51.6 ticks left after Tenorio went coast to coast. 

However, that’s the last time the chants of “Gi-neb-ra” would be heard on Sunday night as Fonacier got hold of the rock on the break and found himself wide open for the dagger trey to make it 92-85with 29.4 seconds remaining. 

That basket ultimately sucked the air out of Ginebra’s fightback as they succumbed to their third loss. 

Great defense

Once again the Texters were operating as one great defensive unit all game long, shutting the door on Ginebra, which now has a 2-3 win-loss card.

“I think the team played good defense today. We executed again exactly what we wanted to do,” Black said. 

That defensive game plan, according to Black, entailed keeping the ball out of the hands of Ginebra playmaker Tenorio and veteran Mark Caguioa.  

True enough, the Texters made it extremely difficult for Ginebra to even make extra passes, limiting them to just 16 assists while they dished out 26. Talk ‘N Text also outran Ginebra with 13 fastbreak attempts, which resulted to 21 points for them. While Ginebra was held to just 5 attempts and 8 fastbreak points. 

Caguioa had 14 points and 10 boards while Tenorio only had 9 points along with 7 assists. 

“Hats off to my players for executing the game plan,” added Black. 

As a compliment to their defense, Talk ‘N Text was once again a very well-balanced offensive team. They had 5 players in double digits and had significant contributions from their second unit.

Howell scored 19 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, while Jayson Castro had 11 points on 5-of-10 field goals. 

“We don’t really have to rely on our import to score a lot of points but we just need him to deliver when it’s crucial for us,” Black explained. “At the same time we just rely on the locals to contribute every game. But for me story of the game is really the execution of our defense.”  

Sitting atop the standings at 6-0, Talk ‘N Text will be having a 7-day break before they return to action on March 31 against the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers. 

Scores:

Talk ‘N Text (94): De Ocampo 28, Howell 19, Castro 11, Reyes Ry. 11, Fonacier 10, Williams 8, Canaleta 4, Alapag 3, Reyes Ro. 0, Baclao 0, Carey 0.

Ginebra (87): Rodgers 32, Caguioa 14, Baracael 13, Tenorio 9, Slaughter 8, Aguilar 5, Ellis 2, Reyes 2, Helterbrand 2.

Quarterscores: 28-26, 52-40, 76-65, 94-87. – Rappler.com