De Ocampo, Talk ‘N Text outlast Purefoods in overtime

MANILA, Philippines – Ranidel de Ocampo churned out 18 points and 6 rebounds along with key baskets in the clutch to help send the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to a thrilling 100-96 overtime victory over defending Grand Slam champions Purefoods Star Hotshots in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, December 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win, which pushed the Texters to a 7-3 slate, assured them as well as the 6-4 Barangay Ginebra of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Purefoods, on the other hand, are now 5-5 though still in the running for a twice-to-beat if it beats Barako Bull and Ginebra edges Rain or Shine, per PBA Head Statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

“It’s good. It’s always tough to play Purefoods,” said Talk ‘N Text head coach Jong Uichico. “But It’s one game. It’s just another won game. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re a championship contender at this point. Hopefully we can carry over this game to Friday (versus San Miguel) and into the quarterfinals.”

Forward Jay Washington also had key contributions with his 18 points while Ryan Reyes and Jayson Castro chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.

In an up-and-down affair between two of the league’s top teams, slot man De Ocampo knotted the score at 86-all with 22.1 seconds remaining after Mark Barroca sank a high-arching shot with less than two minutes to go.

De Ocampo, who went 6-of-13 from the field, made up for his travelling violation and dropped 9 points in the payoff period.

However, De Ocampo’s counterpart Marc Pingris, who had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for Purefoods, managed to shove his team ahead, 88-86, with just 3.2 seconds left after cutting baseline and leaving behind defender Harvey Carey for the easy two points.

But Larry Fonacier, who was subbed in together with Jimmy Alapag for the final play, later made the game-tying basket at 88-all off a perfectly executed play to send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, both teams exchanged baskets once again before Carey scored 4 straight points to put the Texters on top by 96-92 with 1:57 left.

A Joe Devance basket off the pick and roll cut the deficit to two, 96-94, but De Ocampo sank a difficult turnaround jumper for a 98-94 spread with 55.4 ticks remaining.

And although Devance succeeded with another well-executed pick and roll on the left side, Purefoods ran out of time as 89% free throw shooter Jimmy Alapag iced the game with a pair of free throws.

“They don’t change their game regardless of what happens in the game. They’re used to it. They keep their poise,” Uichico explained what makes Purefoods a difficult team to beat.

“It’s hard to play Purefoods in a close game. Buti nakalusot kami dito (It’s a good thing we slipped past this one).”

Devance led all Hotshots with his 22 points as James Yap and PJ Simon had 18 and 15 points, respectively.

Scores:

Talk N Text (100): Washington 18, De Ocampo 18, Reyes 14, Castro 13, Carey 9, Alas 8, Rob Reyes 8, Alapag 5, Fonacier 4, Rosser 3, Aban 0.

Purefoods (96): Devance 22, Pingris 21, Yap 18, Simon 15, Barroca 11, Mallari 5, Taha 2, Maliksi 2, Reavis 0.

Quarter scores: 22-22; 39-42; 67-64; 88-88; 100-96.

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

– Rappler.com