Talk ‘N Text makes big shots late to squeak past Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines — Ranidel de Ocampo sank the go-ahead turnaround jumper with a hand on his face and with 52 seconds remaining, then Jayson Castro followed that up with a much more difficult turnaround shot off a crossover closer to the basket for just enough cushion with 5.2 seconds left on the clock.

That, and some previous much-needed key baskets from import Richard Howell, and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters escaped with an 89-86 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, January 28 at the Cuneta Astrodome. 

Guard Castro led all Texters with 15 points, including the crucial basket that notched the final tally, along with two assists. De Ocampo, whose go-ahead jumper put his team ahead for good, 87-86, finished with 14 markers on top of 11 boards as Talk ‘N Text came back from 7 points down midway in the final period.

Whatever character the Texters showed in the endgame, and how many more tough shots they made in order to win, head coach Jong Uichico was still disappointed overall with his team. 

“We don’t look pretty. We’ve really got some work at hand,” said the coach who took over just before the start of the season.

“I thought the first conference was a learning process that we can carry over to the next. But it seems like we’re starting our first conference again the way we’re playing.” 

Talk ‘N Text struggled from the field and shot just 38% in total but fortunately for them, the Painters weren’t much good either with only 37% field goal shooting. 

Comebacking import Howell, who was the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup Best Import, struggled to get on an offensive groove which was made worse with foul trouble in the second half. 

He showed up in a crucial stretch in the fourth, however, scoring on a hook shot to knot the count at 81 and later on draining a jumper over the outstretched arms or Rain or Shine counterpart Rick Jackson, 85-84. 

He went 1-of-6 from the stripe and wound up with 13 points and 12 rebounds. 

“He just has to learn not to get into foul trouble without losing his aggressiveness that he has on defense,” Uichico said of Howell. 

Veteran guard Willie Miller, whom the Texters signed just before the conference, added 10 points and 3 assists.

Jackson topscored for Rain or Shine with 30 points and 10 rebounds. He had his share of the limelight, scoring over Howell late in the game with a jumper, 86-85, which was the last time the Painters tasted the lead. He later tried for a similar shot to counter De Ocampo’s basket but it simply bounced off the rim. 

Jonathan Uyloan, who hit a go-ahead three-pointer, 84-81, with 2:32 left, contributed 11 points and two assists. 

While Paul Lee had 10 markers for Rain or Shine, which had a chance to tie and force overtime with a long Chris Tiu triple attempt that hit only the backboard. — Rappler.com