Talk ‘N Text beats San Miguel behind clutch Seigle, Washington

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen were looking to clinch an automatic berth to the semis of the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup conference playoffs. The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, however, had other plans.

Thanks to clutch shots from Danny Seigle and a huge 3-pointer by Jay Washington down the stretch of the fourth quarter, the Tropang Texters snapped the Beermen’s 5-game winning streak and won their 4th straight game, 107-101, on Friday, December 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Washington finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds, while Seigle put up 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Jayson Castro scored 19 and dished out 12 assists, while rookies Kevin Alas and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser combined for 22 points.

“It’s a good sign na hindi nag-relax yung players (that the players didn’t relax) and we were still able to keep up the intensity needed just to get over this game,” TNT head coach Jong Uichico said after the game.

San Miguel led for most of the first half, and opened a double-digit lead early in the third quarter. The Tropang Texters bounced back, and took a 7-point lead early in the fourth period thanks to consecutive baskets from Alas.

However, the Beermen didn’t go down easily, leaning on six straight points from Chris Lutz to re-take the lead, 88-86. The SMB guard finished with a game-high 25 points, along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Late in the contest with the match tied at 96, a driving Castro found an open Seigle off the pick-and-roll for an easy layup. In the next Talk ‘N Text possession, the 38-year-old Seigle shaked off his defender again for an open midrange jumper.

After SMB was unable to counter, Castro found a wide-open Washington, who converted a corner trey to put the Texters up by 7. TNT then iced the game at the foul line.

“He’s always ready to play. Always ready,” Uichico said about Seigle, whom he coached during their glory days with the Beermen in the early 2000s.

Uichico also vouched for his former star player, saying “The Dynamite” should have easily made PBA’s top 40 greatest players list.

“I believe he should be in the top 40 greatest. That’s my opinion.”

June Mar Fajardo finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Arwind Santos had a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards. Jeric Fortuna came off the bench to provide 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3 3-balls.

As a team, TNT shot 46% from the field, hit 39% of their 3-pointers, and went 22-of-26 from the foul line. The Beermen outrebounded the Tropang Texters 45-36, but had less assists, 27-14.

Talk ‘N Text feasted on SMB’s turnovers, 20, which resulted to 27 points, while their bench outscored their opponents’, 43-31.

The win finished the Tropang Texters’ elimination round campaign at 8-3. The Beermen, who have a game remaining against Blackwater Elite, currently stand at 8-2.

Talk ‘N Text will receive a first-round bye and automatic berth to the semis of the playoffs if Rain or Shine (8-2) loses to Ginebra (6-4) this Sunday, December 7, and if San Miguel defeats Blackwater (0-10) on Tuesday, December 9.

SMB can attain an automatic semis berth by winning against the Elite.

Scores:

TNT (107): Washington 19, Castro 19, Alas 12, Seigle 12, Reyes, Rob 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, De Ocampo 8, Reyes, Ryan 5, Carey 4, Fonacier 4, Aban 3

SMB (101): Lutz 25, Fajardo 18, Santos 16, Fortuna 15, Ross 9, Maierhofer 5, Tubid 5, Mercado 4, Pascual 2, Kramer 2, Omolon 0

Quarter Scoring: 23-28, 48-55, 76-77, 107-101

– Rappler.com