ONE FOOT IN
Purefoods’ Denzel Bowles is harassed by Jay Washington and Kevin Alas of Talk ‘N Text while trying to secure a rebound.
With Jason Castro scoring at will from beyond the arc, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, moved a game away from advancing to the championship round as they outlasted the defending champions Purefoods Star Hotshots, 111-107, last night in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series of the 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters torched the Hotshots with their searing three-point shooting, canning 19 trifectas with Castro making eight of his nine attempts from the three-point land.
Castro, who was among the 15 new additions to the 40 PBA Greatest Players, finished with a team-high 27 points while dishing off 10 assists.
Now ahead in the series, 2-1, the Tropang Texters look to clinch the second Finals berth when they play the Hotshots anew on Saturday for Game 4 still at the Big Dome.
It was Talk ‘N Text’s second straight win in the series after losing in the series-opener.
Purefoods won Game 1, 100-94, but Talk ‘N Text tied things up with a 93-77 victory in game 2.
Ivan Johnson also had a solid game for Talk ‘N Text after chipping in with 26 points.
Aaron Aban, now known for his scoring, gave the Tropang Texters a huge lift by adding 17 markers.
Ranidel de Ocampo and Jay Washington also scored in double figures with 14 and 10, respectively.
Denzel Bowles erupted for a game-high 39 points, 30 coming in the first three quarters of play.
From a slim 96-92 lead, Talk ‘N Text sank two straight triples to erect a 102-92 lead.
Purefoods trimmed the deficit to just five, 103-108, but Castro dropped a booming triple with 116 left.
BOX SCORES
TALK N’ TEXT (111)- Castro 27, Johnson 26, Aban 17, De Ocampo 14, Washington 10, Alas 9, Williams 6, Rosser 2, Fonacier 0.
PUREFOODS (107) – Bowles 39, Simon 18, Yap 11, Pingris 10, Devance 9, Barroca 8, Reavis 4, Mallari 4, Maliksi 4.QUARTERSCORES: 32-33, 63-60, 89-80, 111-107.