PBA: Poised Texters take game two versus Elasto Painters

Just when it seemed like the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters had figured out the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, the reigning Philippine Cup champs showed off the veteran poise that make them such deadly opponents.

Ranidel De Ocampo tallied 24 points, seven of them in the fourth period, to lead a late Tropang Texters charge that gave them game two of the best-of-seven Finals series and a 2-0 advantage, 89-81, Friday at the SM MOA Arena.

[Review the play-by-play of this game here]

"We're up 2-0 but as far as I'm concerned it takes four wins to win a championship," said TNT head coach Norman Black, who wasn't about to celebrate so soon.

The Elasto Painters managed to lead briefly late in the third quarter, only for a Kelly Williams triple at the buzzer to re-knot things at 63-all. Come the fourth Jervy Cruz, then Paul Lee, gave Rain or Shine slight leads, but TNT countered with sustained scoring runs, including a 14-5 capper to the game.

"I don't want to sound like a broken record, but tonight was a good team defensive effort from us," said Black. "That's what we'll need to win the series."

De Ocampo added nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and three three-pointers, all game highs. Jayson Castro scored 21 points off the bench on 6-of-11 shooting, while Kelly Williams added 12 points and five rebounds for TNT.

"Ranidel is our best post-up player and best three-point shooter," Black said, commending his versatile, do-it-all forward. "He's just been doing it for us the entire year with his leadership and composure."

De Ocampo was on fire for the Tropang Texters in the first quarter, making two triples and tallying eight of his team's first nine points to start the game. In contrast, the Elasto Painters struggled to convert at the rim, though Ryan Araña buried a triple to have Rain or Shine trailing by only five, 11-6.

The Elasto Painters came up with defensive stops and tried to get back into the game with long attempts from the field. JR Quiñahan connected on a three-pointer halfway through the quarter, and capped a 7-3 stretch with charities to bring his team within a point, 14-13.

However, TNT launched a counterattack, with Larry Fonacier and Jayson Castro penetrating the lane with under three minutes remaining. Aaron Aban capped the quarter with his second triple of the game as the Texters went on a 9-2 run to keep the lead after the first period, 23-15.


In the second quarter, Rain or Shine had more success from beyond the arc as Chan and Quiñahan connected from long range. However, the Texters continued to exploit the seams in the Elasto Painters' defense, with Jared Dillinger, Fonacier and De Ocampo finding easy looks at the rim, 31-26.

Both teams went scoreless for the next three minutes until Ronnie Matias hit a step-back jumper at the five-minute mark. TNT responded in a huge way as Castro and Harvey Carey scored 10 of their team's next 11, to bring the lead up to 42-31.

[Related: Shooting still the problem for Rain or Shine - Guiao]

With a minute to play, Rain or Shine found consecutive buckets inside through Beau Belga and Jervy Cruz, a minor breakthrough against the Talk n' Texters' tough interior defense. But Castro would have the last say, nailing a jumper before the buzzer to maintain a nine-point lead, 44-35.

When play resumed, Kelly Williams and De Ocampo quickly scored eight for TNT, but the Elasto Painters were playing with renewed intensity, getting transition chances and attempts at the free throw line. Led by Gabe Norwood, Rain or Shine cut the deficit to four, 53-49, on charities by Chan.

Castro responded for Talk 'N Text, making four straight from the line, but Rain or Shine would not be denied a comeback. With five minutes remaining, Araña, Jervy Cruz and Paul Lee combined for a 12-4 run. The trio scored all their points from the shaded area to give the Elasto Painters their first lead of the game, 61-57.

Fortunately, De Ocampo came to TNT's rescue anew and drilled in his third three-pointer with 37 seconds left in the period. Jimmy Alapag then found Williams moments later for another corner triple to beat the quarter buzzer. Talk 'N Text closed the period on a 6-2 swing to knot the game at 63-all heading into the final period.

The teams continued to battle and trade leads in the fourth quarter. TNT caught the Elasto Painters flat-footed at the start of the fourth, attacking the basket for a quick 10-4 blast. But sophomore Paul Lee forced his way to the line, scoring four in an 8-2 counterattack to edge Rain or Shine ahead, 76-75.

With five minutes remaining, Williams seized the momentum back for the Texters with an and-one play, and his team scored seven unanswered to take an 82-76 lead with three and a half minutes remaining.

After a timeout by Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, Lee tried to will the Elasto Painters home, but Talk 'N Text met him at every turn; Ryan Reyes answered a Lee deuce, and De Ocampo sliced through the lane to counter Lee's and-one play with under two minutes to play.

That would be the final bucket of the game as Lee would then turn the ball over on the next possession, literally allowing a comeback to slip away.

[Related: Down 0-2, Jireh Ibanes wants a shot at stopping Jayson Castro]

"This year's been a change since we've focused a lot on offense," added Black. "We want to be known as a good offensive team but defense is still our calling card."

Black also noted that Talk 'N Text needed to focus on their transition and post defense, as well as limiting their turnovers. The Elasto Painters scored 19 turnover points off 13 TNT turnovers. On the other hand, Talk 'N Text managed only seven points off 12 Rain or Shine miscues.

Rain or Shine got a boost from their time at the charity stripe, making 21-of-26 (80.8 percent). In contrast, TNT made 14-of-19 (73.7 percent). When it came to field goal shooting though, Talk 'N Text limited Rain or Shine to a 27-of-76 mark from the floor (35.5 percent), while converting 33-of-74 attempts (44.6 percent).

JR Quiñahan top-scored for the Elasto Painters with 16 points and six rebounds. Paul Lee tallied 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists, but missed all his four attempts from three-point distance. Jervy Cruz added 12 points and seven boards, while Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan and Ryan Araña added nine apiece for Rain or Shine.

[Related: Fonacier's late triple lifts TNT over Rain or Shine in Finals game one]

The Talk n' Texters won game one, 87-81, thanks to Fonacier's crucial triple in the fourth quarter which doused a late rally by Rain or Shine.

Game three will be played on Sunday, 6:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. - RAF/AMD, GMA News


The scores:

TALK N' TEXT 89 - De Ocampo 24, Castro 21, Williams 12, Fonacier 7, Dillinger 6, Aban 6, Reyes 4, Carey 4, Alapag 3, Peek 2, Raymundo 0, Ferriols 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 81 - Quiñahan 16, Lee 15, Cruz 12, Norwood 9, Chan 9, Araña 9, Matias 4, Belga 3, Rodriguez 2, Ibanes 2, Tiu 0, Tang 0.

Quarter scoring: 23-15, 44-35, 63-63, 89-81