PBA: Talk 'N Text completes comeback, improves to 6-0

(Updated 9:39pm) The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters continue to lord it over the Philippine Cup. The reigning back-to-back champions of the conference came all the way back from 13 points down to trump the 2012 Governors' Cup titlists, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 80-77, Saturday in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. The win kept Talk 'N Text unbeaten with a league-best 6-0 record, while Rain or Shine stayed at second place with a 4-2 card. "We're aware that we're 6-0, but it's not our main concern. We have a long way to go. We have many things left to develop. We need build on our plays," stressed Talk n' Text head coach Norman Black, who missed the services of Jayson Castro. The star combo guard broke a finger and had to place his left hand in a cast to expedite the healing. Down 13, midway through the third, the Texters slowly chipped through the Elasto Painters' lead to enter the payoff period down only four, 67-63. Back-to-back hits by Larry Fonacier to start the fourth, followed by an Ali Peek drop off to Dillinger under the basket made it a one-point game, 70-69, with eight and a half minutes to go. A split by Fonacier from the line at the six and a half minute mark tied the game, 71-all, but Larry Rodriguez slipped inside for an undergoal stab to put Rain or Shine up ahead by two, 73-71, with 5:20 to go. After several misses from both squads, the Texters went to Jimmy Alapag for a go-ahead trey with 3:33 left in the clock, 74-73. Fonacier followed it up with a lay-up on the break to make it a three-point game, 76-73, with 2:31 to go. At the 2:09 mark, the referees whistled for a stoppage of play, as Jervy Cruz was called for a flagrant foul on Ryan Reyes. Forced to sit for three minutes, the Elasto Painters had to finish the game without former UST Growling Tiger, who finished with 14 points and 11 boards. Belga split at the line for the loose ball foul called on Reyes, while Reyes hit two free throws for the Cruz flagrant to re-establish a four-point lead, 78-74. Rain or Shine then leaned on Chan for a tough drive through the lane at the 1:39 mark to make it a two-point game, 78-76. Yeng Guiao's squad had a chance to tie or take the lead, but TY Tang split his free throws at the 1:12 mark to let Talk n' Text keep a one-point lead, 78-77. With a minute to go, Jared Dillinger decided to take it strong to the hole, but was swallowed by the Rain or Shine interior defense. However, Talk 'N Text's defense was just as stout, as Gabe Norwood had to take a tough turnaround jumper after picking up his dribble from the elbow. The attempt missed, forcing the Elasto Painters to foul Ranidel De Ocampo to stop the clock. De Ocampo was steady from the line, canning both charities for an 80-77 lead. With 16.5 ticks remaining, Rain or Shine tried to free up Chan, but with Dillinger shadowing him, TY Tang had to bail the team out with a three that bounced off the back of the rim. The Elasto Painters then fouled Fonacier to stop the clock, a gamble that worked as the Philippine Cup Finals MVP from last season surprisingly missed both. RoS head coach Yeng Guiao had 1.5 seconds to set up a game-tying trey. In the end, the Elasto Painters went to J.R. Quiñahan, whose shot went wide to the right to bounce off the rim. Larry Fonacier was the best player of the game for Talk N' Text, finishing with 12 points, seven boards, and four assists. Jimmy Alapag paced the Texters with 15 points, while De Ocampo and Peek added 13 and 11, respectively. Jeff Chan was the main target of the Tropang Texters defense; entering the game, he had averaged 23 points per outing, but this time, managed just four, with no triples made. Larry Rodriguez was the other Elasto Painter, aside from Cruz, to score in double figures, while Jireh Ibanes and Quiñahan had nine each. - Renee Fopalan / AMD, GMA News The scores: TALK N' TEXT 80 - Alapag 15, De Ocampo 13, Fonacier 12, Peek 11, Reyes 7,Williams 7, Dillinger 6, Raymundo 5, Carey 2, Ferriols 2, Gamalinda 0 RAIN OR  SHINE 77 - Cruz 14, Rodriguez 13, Ibanes 9, Quinahan 9, Belga 8, Matias 7, Norwood 7, Tang 6, Chan 4, Arana 0 Quarter scoring: 19-22, 42-38, 63-67, 80-77