Talk ’N Text overturns double-digit deficit to squeak past Ginebra

Jane Bracher

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Talk ’N Text overturns double-digit deficit to squeak past Ginebra
Jayson Castro explodes for 31 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists as the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters overturn a 17-point deficit to win by a point
 
MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters came back from 17 points down in the first half and outlasted the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a tight endgame to come out victorious, 104-103, in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday, February 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 
Guard Jayson Castro exploded for a season-high 31 points on 6-of-11 three-point shooting. He also tallied 6 rebounds and 9 assists in the win, which hiked Talk ’N Text’s record up to 4-1. 
Import Richard Howell registered 20 points and 17 rebounds amid foul trouble, while Ranidel de Ocampo and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser tallied 17 and 15 points, respectively. 

“It’s good that we were able to come back,” said Texters head coach Jong Uichico. “It was anybody’s ballgame, we just had to stay in the game. I think we had their strengths the best way we could.” 

The Texters, which were down by 41-24 early in the second period, came storming back in the second half as they took a 79-75 lead entering the fourth thanks to a 30-point third quarter.

They then exchanged baskets and runs with the Gin Kings in the fourth with the last deadlock coming at the 5:50 mark on a Joseph Yeo bucket that made it a 94-all ballgame. 

Kevin Alas of Talk 'N Text outpaces Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar to the rim. Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

Talk ’N Text broke away with an 8-2 run to lead by 102-96 heading into the final two minutes before Ginebra import Mike Dunigan countered with 4 straight points, 102-100, with 56.8 ticks remaining.

Breaks of the game went the way of Ginebra inside the last 30 seconds as Talk ’N Text committed a couple of potentially costly turnovers. 

De Ocampo, who also had 5 rebounds and two assists, made up for a ball-hogging violation and escaped to the basket for an uncontested lay-up off precise switching on the inbound to give the Texters a 104-100 cushion with 6 seconds left. 

But Joseph Yeo, who poured all of his 12 points in the fourth, was not about to give up as he sank an off-balanced and contested trey with 2.8 seconds to go, 103-104.

Howell then committed a turnover on an errant inbounds pass in the final 2.8 seconds, giving Ginebra the final possession. 

But Castro, who had gone cold down the stretch, made a crucial defensive play and stole the ball from LA Tenorio who was about to receive the inbounds pass from Mac Baracael to seal the win. 

“If we play defense this way and we play this way every game I think we have a good shot,” Uichico said.

Five players finished in double figures for Ginebra with Dunigan leading the way with his 30 points and 18 rebounds. Baracael had 20 points, while Tenorio and Mark Caguioa had 14 and 11 points, respectively. 

Ginebra dropped to 2-3 in the standings. – Rappler.com

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