PBA: Talk 'N Text foils Barako Bull to face B-MEG in finals

Talk 'N Text will defend its PBA Commissioner's Cup crown opposite the B-MEG Llamados when the best-of-seven finals series starts on Monday, April 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.   The Tropang Texters earned the right to face the Llamados after completing a 101-90 thrashing of the Barako Bull Energy, Wednesday night, also at the Big Dome.   The Texters reached the championship series for the fifth straight time, while TNT coach Chot Reyes will be playing in his 15th overall Finals series.   Ranidel De Ocampo's four-point play sparked TNT's 9-2 wind-up, with his baskets coming at the right time, just when Barako, behind Ronald Tubid's four-point swing, moved within 92-88 with three minutes left in the final canto.   Jimmy Alapag pushed the Talk 'N Text lead to 10, 98-88, with a breakaway lay-up with one minute and 50 seconds to go.   Danny Seigle made Barako's final points when he scored on a put-back off a Willie Miller miss.   Barako looked headed for an upset win when it opened with a 10-2 start in the first quarter. But the lead did not stay with them for very long as the Energy led for the last time at 29-25, early in the second period, as a 13-7 Texters run swung things in Talk ‘N Text’s favor for good, 38-36, midway in the quarter.   From that point on, the Texters played to protect their double-digit lead and foil Barako's numerous comeback bids.   TNT Import Donnell Harvey paced his team with 29 points, 14 rebounds and three steals while Ranidel de Ocampo backed him up with 18 markers despite 4-of-14 shooting from the floor.   Jared Dillinger and Jayson Castro combined for 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals also for the Texters.   Gabe Freeman had another monster game for the Energy with 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Seigle and Tubid added 21 and 18 markers each, while Don Allado tallied 12.   Two-time league Most Valuable Player Willie Miller was held to six points on 2-of-11 field goal shooting. — JVP/ELR/AMD, GMA News   Scores: Talk 'N Text 101—Harvey 29, De Ocampo 18, Dillinger 14, Castro 14, Williams 9, Peek 7, Alapag 6, Fonacier 3, Reyes 1, Alvarez 0.   Barako Bull 90—Freeman 22, Seigle 21, Tubid 18, Allado 12, Miller 6, Salvador 4, Najorda 3, Arboleda 2, Pena 2, Weinstein 0, Pennisi 0.   Quarter scores: 25-27; 56-47; 77-74; 101-90.