Talk ‘N Text crushes Rain or Shine behind Alas, de Ocampo explosion

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Tropang Texters epitomized its attack mentality all game long to come away with a 99-76 rout of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday, November 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and level their win-loss record at 2-2 in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup.

Rookie Kevin Alas showed Rain or Shine what they missed out on when they traded him away during the pre-season, scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing 4 assists and at the same time leading the Texters as court general.

“Siyempre binibigyan natin ng minuto yung rookie para mag-gain ng confidence,” Talk ‘N Text head coach Jong Uichico said. “He played very well. Ang tanong na lang diyan ay consistency. Consistency lang ang kailangan natin.“

(Of course we just give minutes to the rookie so he can gain confidence. He played very well. The question now is consistency. Consistency is what we need.)

The Painters drafted Alas second overall in August 2014, but when star combo guard Paul Lee re-signed a two-year contract with them, they opted to give up Alas to a team where his services were needed more.

Alas, who is being molded to eventually fill in the shoes of veteran Jimmy Alapag when he retires, gave a glimpse of what could come in a few years. He also eased the pressure for guard Jayson Castro, who is expected to lead in the absence of Alapag.

“At least it gives Jayson a chance to rest,” Uichico said.

Forward Ranidel de Ocampo hit a game-high 20 points on 4-of-6 makes from beyond the arc. He scattered his points evenly with 5 each quarter.

While veteran sharp-shooter Jay Washington finished with 18 points as well on top of his 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Coming off stinging 100-98 loss to the Alaska Aces, the Texters ensured there would be no meltdown and no buzzer-beater to haunt them as they buried the Painters with their biggest lead late in the third, 83-58, on a Ranidel de Ocampo triple.

And unlike their previous game, Talk ‘N Text never slowed down until the final buzzer sounded.

“What we did is just try to fix what went wrong against Alaska,” Uichico explained. “We tried to correct it.”

The Texters erected a 36-21 lead early in the second frame, which the Painters managed to trim to a manageable 56-45 by halftime.

But Talk ‘N Text outscored their opponents in the third, 27-15, and extended their assault to the fourth to block any comeback attempt from Yeng Guiao’s wards.

Rain or Shine had problems matching up with the Texters in the paint as big man Beau Belga earned himself 4 fouls by halftime. Foul trouble also hounded Raymond Almazan.

A more smooth-running Talk ‘N Text frontline severely out-rebounded Rain or Shine, 62-31, on their way to dominating the second-chance points, 17-3.

Things took a turn for the worse when Lee went down early in the third clutching the same right knee he hyperextended against San Miguel.

He never returned to the game and tallied just 8 points.

Jeff Chan was the lone bright spot for Guiao with his 16 points.

Rain or Shine dropped to a 2-2 record.

Scores:

TALK N’ TEXT (99): De Ocampo 20, Washington 18, Alas 18, Ganuelas-Rosser 11, Carey 10, Castro 9, Fonacier 5, Espiritu 3, Aban 3, Wiliams 2, Labagala 0, Reyes Ryan 0, Reyes Rob 0, Seigle 0.

RAIN OR SHINE (76): Chan 16, Uyloan 10, Norwood 10, Lee 8, Almazan 8, Quinahan 7, Teng 5, Cruz Jericho 5, Ibanes 2, Cruz Jervy 2, Belga 2, Tang 1, Arana 0.

Quarter scores: 29-21, 56-45, 83-60, 99-76.

Here are some photos of the game taken by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

– Rappler.com