SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters won their 13th straight game, beating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 99-91, to sweep their adversaries 3-0 in the semifinals and advance to the Finals of the PBA Home TVolution Commissioner’s Cup on Friday evening, May 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Led by import Richard Howell, who had 26 points, and locals Ranidel de Ocampo and Ryan Reyes, who scored 15 each, the Tropang Texters led from start to finish and managed to hold off the late rally by Rain or Shine, which was spearheaded by Wayne Chism’s 31 markers, in spite of being hobbled by an injured leg.
“It was an extremely hard fought game,” said Talk ‘N Text head coach Norman Black after the game. “I thought both teams played very well. I’d like to give Chism a lot of credit for coming out to play tonight, despite the injury.”
Heading into the final quarter, Howell and company had a comfortable 80-64 lead, although they were not out of the woods. Thanks to Rain or Shine’s 11-2 spurt to start the fourth period, Coach Black was forced to re-enter his starting unit with the lead shortened to seven.
Towards the end of the game, a crafty lay-in by Chism got his team to within six, 91-97. However, Rain or Shine, which made just two three-pointers the entire game, failed to get a stop after as a 15-foot jumper by Kelly Williams made the contest a three-possession game with under a minute remaining.
“I must say that Rain or Shine really tested our defense,” admitted Black after the game, though his club is 13-0 in the Commissioner’s Cup. They now await the winner of the San Mig Cofee vs. Air 21 semifinal series, which is currently tied at 1-1.
“The ultimate goal is at hand, which is to win the championship,” added the head coach.
“Like the players were saying in the locker room, ‘three more to go.’”
The Tropang Texters didn’t waste time getting down to business. Spearheaded by two early three-pointers from Reyes, the Norman Black-coached club raced off to a 10-2 lead against Rain or Shine, which had Jeric Teng inserted in the starting line-up.
With Chism coming off the bench, rookie big man Raymond Almazan shouldered the scoring load for the Painters to start the contest, putting up six early markers on the scoreboard to help trim TNT’s lead, 14-8. Moments later, a couple of turnovers forced by Gabe Norwood helped ROS get within five, but timely baskets form Jayson Castro and a buzzer-beating three by Williams gave their team a 30-17 advantage after 12 minutes of play.
The second period commenced likewise to its predecessor, with Talk ‘N Text being the first time to gain an upper hand. Thanks to a pair of long-range bombs from Castro, the Yeng Guiao-led team found themselves facing a 16-point deficit, 40-24.
The never-say-die Elasto Painters clawed their way back to the contest on the shoulders of Chism and Norwood, both of whom created havoc on defense with steals and were able to knock in their free throws.
After a pair of charities by the latter, the Tropang Texters’ lead slimmed to six, 47-41, towards the end of the canto. However, a momentum-killing foul on a Jimmy Alapag three-point attempt and another buzzer-beating three – this time by de Ocampo – put Talk ‘N Text ahead by 10, 55-45, at halftime.
In need of a jolt of energy, Coach Guiao turned to freshman Alex Nuyles in hopes of energizing his club to start the third quarter.
Early in the period, a zooming Norwood forayed to the basket and managed to complete an and-one slam over two TNT defenders. Not long after, a pair of charities from Chism got his squad within eight.
Though the Elasto Painters time and time again lessened their opponents’ advantage to single-digits, the unbeaten Tropang Texters had a response every single time, whether it was a Fonacier or Canaleta three-pointer, or an easy lay-up for Howell thanks to the team’s fantastic ball-movement.
ROS, on the other hand, relied on the prowess of Chism, who managed to take advantage of the Tropang Texters’ vulnerable interior defense. However, the injured import failed to get aid from his local teammates, outside of Norwood.
Paul Lee, who played only six minutes due to an injury, was held scoreless and did not return to the game after the first quarter.
Scores
Talk ‘N Text: Howell 26, De Ocampo 25, Reyes 15, Castro 10, Fonacier 10, Williams 7, Seigle 6, Canaleta 6, Alapag 3, Carey 1
Rain or Shine: Chism 31, Almazan 13, Norwood 12, Chan 11, Rodriguez 9, Uyloan 5, Tang 5, Nuyles 2, Teng 2, Belga 1, Arana 0, Lee 0
– Rappler.com
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