Talk ‘N Text nears PBA Finals with second straight win over Purefoods
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.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
