PBA: De Ocampo heats up late as Talk 'N Text snaps four-game skid vs Blackwater

 

Ranidel De Ocampo hit three straight triples in the final three and a half minutes as the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters snapped a four-game skid with a 98-91 win against the Blackwater Elite on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

 

The Texters got a lot from its bench, as Matt Ganuelas-Rosser led the reserves with 21 points and nine rebounds. Sam Daghles was also solid with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Ranidel De Ocampo tallied 14. Danny Seigle also added 10 points with six boards and three assists. Larry Fonacier was the only starter in double figures with 20 points, as Stephffon Pettigrew and Jayson Castro were limited to just seven each.

 

The Elite had a better start, even posting a nine-point lead at the half, 50-41. Blackwater led by as much as 10 points with 6:40 left in the third, 61-51, before the Texters went on a tear, scoring 15 points while limiting Blackwater to just five to tie the game with 2:08 to go, 66-all. Heading into the final frame, Blackwater led by one, 71-70.

 

Talk 'N Text finally seized the lead early in the fourth, with Ganuelas-Rosser and Larry Fonacier leading the charge. Back to back hits by the duo pushed TNT's lead to eight with 5:26 to go, 86-78.

 

Brian Heruela was able to trim the lead to just four at the 3:45 mark, but De Ocampo strung three straight triples to keep an eight-point lead in the final 2:44. A persistent Heruela cut the lead to five with 69 seconds left, but a missed undergoal stab by Gamalinda led to insurance charities from Ganuelas-Rosser to put the game away.

 

eruela had an all-around game for Blackwater, hitting 21 points with 11 assists and seven boards. Marcus Douthit's reliever Marcus Cousin had 16 points with nine boards and five turnovers, while Brian Faundo provided a lift off the bench with 14. Bam Gamalinda added 10. - JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

TALK N' TEXT 98 - Rosser 21, Fonacier 20, Daghles 15, De Ocampo 14, Seigle 10, Pettigrew 7, Castro 7, Williams 4, Carey 0, Aban 0.

 

BLACKWATER 91 - Heruela 21, Cousin 16, Faundo 14, Gamalinda 10, Cervantes 9, Celiz 7, Bulawan 5, Ballesteros 5, Acuna 3, Erram 1, Laure 0, Reyes 0.

 

Quarters: 16-24, 41-50, 70-71, 98-91