Picking up from where he left off in Game 3, Jayson Castro once again came out with all guns ablazing, leading the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to a 79-66 win over the dethroned defending champions Purefoods Star Hotshots last night in Game 4 of their 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.
Putting on a dazzling offensive show, Castro orchestrated Talk ‘N Text’s endgame break-away as the Tropang Texters wrapped up series, 3-1.
Talk ‘N Text will next play the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a best-of-seven titular showdown starting Wednesday.
Castro erupted for 33 points on a seven-for-11 shooting from the three-point land. It was another impressive showing for the player nicknamed The Blur who finished with 27 points on an eight-for-nine shooting from beyond the arc in their 93-77 victory in Game 3 last Thursday.
“It’s just a product of hardwork and our coach trusting me,” said Castro in a televised interview.
It was the third straight win for Talk ‘N Text after losing to Purefoods in Game 1.
Castro, who added five rebounds and four assists, was lethal in the second half where he poured 23 of his total output, allowing Talk ‘N Text to recover from a 28-38 deficit at the turn.
Castro keyed a dizzying rally by the Tropang Texters in the fourth. He knocked in a pair of triples and import Ivan Johnson hit a three-pointer and completed a three-point as Talk ‘N Text erased a 53-57 deficit to go up, 64-59 with 4:50 left.
Castro would hit another triple then assisted Jay Washington for a baseline jumper that gave the Tropang Texters a 69-63 lead with 3:22 to go.
Castro then delivered the finishing touches, burying yet another triple before picking the pocket of Mark Barroca to complete a fastbreak layup, pushing Talk ‘N Text to a 74-63 lead with just 2:17 left.
Denzel Bowles was held down to just 14 points for Purefoods, which just got two points from the highly regarded James Yap.
BOX SCORES
TALK N’ TEXT (79)- Castro 33, Johnson 15, Washington 12, De Ocampo 12, Fonacier 4, Rosser 2, Alas 1, Williams 0, Aban 0.
PUREFOODS (66)- Bowles 14, Barroca 12, Devance 10, Pingris 8, Simon 6, Melton 5, Mallari 5, Reavis 2, Yap 2, Maliksi 2, Pennisi 0.QUARTERSCORES: 18-16, 28-38, 45-48, 79-66.