Talk `N Text survived a fiery Barangay Ginebra comeback from 20 points down before prevailing, 102-99, and clinched the no. 1 seed in the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a big Sunday crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters withstood the Kings’ fierce rally in the endgame, including a possible game-tying three-pointer by Mark Caguioa, which missed its mark just before the final buzzer, that handed the telecommunication franchise its eight straight win in the tournament.
With an 8-1 card, and coupled by Smart-Gilas’ 87-91 overtime loss to Meralco Saturday night in Tacloban City, Talk `N Text formally goes into the best-of-five Final Four as the top-seeded team.
At 7-2, the Nationals get the no. 2 seeding in the semis.
Ginebra lost for the second game in a row for a 5-4 record, ending its elimination round campaign. It now awaits the outcome of Alaska (5-3) and Rain or Shine’s (4-4) final assignments to determine its placing in the best-of-three quartefinals.
Paul Harris led the Tropang Texters, whose lone loss came at the expense of Smart Gilas, with 23 points, while Ryan Reyes added 15, all of them from three-point range.
Talk `N Text led by as many as 59-39 on a Harris basket with 39.3 seconds left before the break.
But just like in the past, no lead is safe. Not against Barangay Ginebra.
Finding their second wind, the Kings fought back in the second half behind Caguioa, import Nate Brumfield and Willie Miller. An emphatic dunk by Brumfield, capped by a steal, finally tied the game at 91-all with 6:31 to go in the match.
The Tropang Texters however, answered back behind a five-point cluster, capped by a long Jimmy Alapag trey, to make it a 100-95 game.
After a split from the foul line by Harris, 101-99, the Kings had the chance to tie the game, but Brumfield failed to convert inside.
Forced to foul, the Kings sent Jason Castro to the free throw line and the Talk `N Text guard settled for a split to make it a three-point Tropang Texters lead in the final 7.3 seconds.
Brumfield showed the way for the Kings with 26 points, while Caguioa had 25. – RCJ, GMA News
The scores: (2nd Game)
Talk N’ Text 102 – Harris 23, Reyes 15, De Ocampo 14, Carey 11, Fonacier 10, Alapag 10, Peek 8, Williams 6, Castro 5, Aban 0, Alvarez 0.
Ginebra 99 – Brumfield 26, Caguioa 25, Miller 11, Mamaril 10, Intal 6, Cortez 6, Hatfield 6, Labagala 5, Menk 4, Wilson 0, Tubid 0.
Quarters: 26-15, 59-41, 81-73, 102-99
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