PBA: Talk 'N Text forces Game 5 with blowout win over Barako Bull

With their chance to defend their Commissioner's Cup title slipping away, the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters romped out to a 13-2 start and never looked back, demolishing the Barako Bull Energy 108-90, to force a winner-take-all game for the right to advance to the Finals, Monday at the Araneta Coliseum. "All we did was tie it [the series]," Texters head coach Chot Reyes reminded the media after the game. "[But] I thought we did a good job playing Talk 'N Text basketball." The Energy's import Gabe Freeman and former two-time MVP Willie Miller managed to pull their side to within three, 14-11, off charities by Miller, but the game never got any closer than that margin.

Back to back scores by TNT's foreign big man Donnell Harvey and a Harvey Carey basket in transition made it a nine-point game shortly after, and it became a double-digit affair for good after Ranidel de Ocampo answered a Mick Pennisi triple with two of his own, 47-32, 6:07 left in the second period. A jumper by Tubid beat the halftime buzzer, making it 55-41, but that was probably the last good news for the Energy. An 11-4 run by the Tropang Texters began the third quarter and tagged the margin at 21, 66-45 after a Fonacier runner. The deficit reached its peak at 29 courtesy of a Kelly Williams triple, 4:15 left in the third, 80-51, but the Energy managed seven unanswered to give them some hope. The possibility of another big comeback was short-lived, however, as TNT countered with a Bam Gamalinda and-one and an outlet pass that found a wide-open De Ocampo, 85-58. So comfortable with the margin was the Texters that the team had the luxury of giving minutes to a rehabbing Ali Peek. And through the last quarter, it was all about the benches, and they were emptied much before the final buzzer. Ranidel de Ocampo registered 23 points on 7-of-9 field goal shooting and a perfect 7-for-7 clip from the line, rebounding from a two-point outing in the previous game. Three other Texters finished with 12 each, and every player fielded by head coach Chot Reyes chipped in at least two points. Not only was Talk 'N Text able to get their running game up and going against Barako Bull, they also played stingy defense, especially on Freeman, who had just four points at the half. He finished with six markers, failing to produce double-digit scoring for the first time as a member of the Energy, and 13 boards. Dynamite Danny Seigle led his side with 20 but he needed 18 shots to get it. Willie Miller and Don Allado had 10 points each and a combined seven assists, though they managed just two rebounds between them. Offense has been the key to this series for the reigning titlists. In their two wins, Talk 'N Text's output has eclipsed the century mark as they hit more than half their attempts. Conversely, in their two losses, the Energy managed to hold them to an average of just 79 points on 35.95 percent shooting. Game five is set for Wednesday, also at the Araneta Coliseum. - KBK, GMA News The scores: TALK N' TEXT 108 - De Ocampo 23, Harvey 12, Dillinger 12, Castro 12, Williams 11, Peek 8, Gamalinda 7, Fonacier 7, Aguilar 4, Carey 4, Raymundo 2, Reyes 2, Alvarez 2, Alapag 2. BARAKO BULL 90 - Seigle 20, Miller 10, Allado 10, Pennisi 9, Aquino 7, Najorda 7, Salvador 7, Tubid 7, Freeman 6, Gatumbato 5, Arboleda 2, Sorongon 0, Cervantes 0, Weinstein 0, Pena 0. Quarter scoring: 30-23, 55-42, 89-64, 108-90