It took two extra periods for the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to dispose the gritty Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 121-119, in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
It was the first time in league history that a Finals Game 7 went into double overtime and the Texters made sure that it was them who’d be celebrating this feat.
In what seemed like an endless battle between two punch-drunk warriors, the Texters threw the last haymaker that put down the resilient Elasto Painters and come away with the title after a 4-3 series win.
It was sweet-shooting forward Ranidel de Ocampo who made the difference as he scored eight straight points in the second extra session to give the Texters the much-needed lift.
Tied at 106 after the first overtime, the long-time National Team mainstay found his second wind and started the second overtime by banking in a short jumper before canning a three-pointer from the right wing. He later added another triple from straightaway to bump the Texters’ lead up to 114-108 with 3:16 to go.
But the Elasto Painters, who had earlier come back from an early 16-point lead to tie the game at 97-all at the end of the fourth quarter, got right back into it and pulled to within one, 118-119, after a trey from Paul Lee from the corner with 17 seconds remaining.
Talk ‘N Text pushed the lead back to three, 121-118, after Larry Fonacier coolly drained two freebies.
With no timeouts remaining, Lee pushed the ball upcourt but was fouled by Texters guard Jayson Castro. He then made the first before intentionally missing the second in the hopes of getting a rebound and tying the game with a deuce. But
Talk ‘N Text import Ivan Johnson was able to secure the rebound as time ran out, setting off the Texters’ celebration of their first championship in six conferences and first under multi-titled coach Jong Uichico.
Uichico is also the first coach to win titles with three different teams. He also won with San Miguel and Ginebra.
De Ocampo finished with 34 points and was named as the Finals MVP. Johnson had a double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds while Castro narrowly missed a triple-double with his 24-point, nine-rebound, 12-assist performance.
Rain or Shine was led by the 38 points of Lee while Wayne Chism had 34 points and 29 rebounds.