PBA: Talk 'N Text tops Purefoods in heated game to tie semis series

It's all even.

The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters limited the Purefoods Star Hotshots to just 13 points in the opening period, before delivering lethal blows in the fourth to earn a 93-77 win on Monday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters leaned on heroics from guards Kevin Alas and Jayson Castro to break away down the stretch to tie the series and turn it into a best-of-three affair.

"This win gives us a fair chance at the finals," said Talk 'N Text coach Jong Uichico. "Kung natalo kami ngayon, it's hard to be 0-2 down."

Purefoods was still ahead, 70-67, midway through the fourth quarter when Alas nailed back-to-back three-pointers to put the Tropang Texters ahead. That touched off a furious 18-4 run that put the game away.

It was a heated affair, with a scuffle breaking out in the third quarter after Purefoods forward Allein Maliski committed a flagrant foul on Talk 'N Text rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. More drama occured in the fourth period, with Purefoods star forward Marc Pingris and Talk 'N Text import Ivan Johnson getting technical fouls for second motion.

"Emotions are kinda high, really high especially in our series," said Uichico. "It's gonna happen because teams wind ways to win games. We can't tell our players to back down, Purefoods won't back down either," said Uichico.

All Talk 'N Text starters finished in double figures, with Castro leading the charge with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Johnson had 16 points and 20 rebounds, while Ranidel De Ocampo also had a double-double with 14 and 10. Jay Washington and Larry Fonacier posted 11 and 10 points, respectively. Alas added 12 points off the bench.

Denzel Bowles carried Purefoods with 35 points and eight rebounds, while James Yap added 15. PJ Simon was the only other Hotshot in double figures with 10 points. The Purefoods bench accounted for just 14 points. - JST, GMA News

The scores:

TALK N' TEXT 93 - Castro 21, Johnson 16, De Ocampo 14, Washington 12, Alas 12, Fonacier 10, Carey 2, Williams 2, Rosser 2, Aban 2.

PUREFOODS 77 - Bowles 35, Yap 15, Simon 10, Pennisi 5, Maliksi 3, Devance 3, Reavis 2, Mallari 2, Barroca 2, Melton 0, Pingris 0.

Quarters: 21-13, 40-34, 59-57, 93-77