One win from title

Powerade played what is by far its finest game in the Finals of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup last night but still failed to stop the rampaging Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters from scoring a, 133-126 overtime victory over them at the Araneta Coliseum.

The resounding victory gave the defending champion Texters a commanding 3-0 series lead, moving a game away from becoming the first team to defend an All-Filipino crown in almost three decades.

With their outside shots clicking, Tigers led for the large part of the game and were even up by as many as 11 points early.

Powerade brought a, 93-87 lead into the fourth period and was still in command until the battle-tested Texters showed its veteran poise in the endgame.

After several attempts, the Texters finally moved in front, 117-116, when Jimmy Alapag knocked in a three-pointer with 55.3 seconds left in regulation.

Ranidel de Ocampo made a three-point by sinking two free throws and Kelly Williams picked the pocket of Gary David before completing a fastbreak layup for a, 121-116 Talk ‘N Text lead with 11.8 seconds to play.

Powerade’s Doug Kramer scored underneath but Talk N Text still appeared to be out of the harm’s way as it led, 121-118, with only 3.3 seconds to go.

But to the shock of their supporters, the Texters sputtered in the final three seconds.

After burning a timeout, the Texters failed to inbound the ball and was forced to call another ceasefire.

With no timeout left, De Ocampo found himself inbounding the ball and was forced to throw a wayward pass to Larry Fonacier. The pass went to no one and Jvee Casio was quick to chase the leather, ran the length of the court before firing a triple that hit nothing but the bottom of the net, forging a 121-121 standoff that sent the game into overtime.

Just as everyone thought that their endgame miscues would deflate them, the Texters came out with renewed energy at the start of the overtime, unloading six unanswered points to go up, 127-121.

Powerade’s lack of playoff experience came into play in the succeeding minutes, forcing one forced shot after another and the Texters cruised till the final buzzer.

Fonacier led the Texters with 25 points, De Ocampo added 21 as the balanced Texters had seven players scoring in double figures.

David scored 37 points for the Tigers, who tasted their first loss when scoring more than 100 points this conference.

BOX SCORES
TALK N’ TEXT (133)- Fonacier 25, De Ocampo 21, Reyes 19, Peek 16, Williams 14, Castro 10, Alapag 10, Aguilar 6, Dillinger 6, Carey 4, Lao 2, Gamalinda 0.
POWERADE (126)- David 36, Lassiter 25, Anthony 25, Casio 18, Kramer 14, Cruz 3, Adducul 3, Lingganay 2, Vanlandingham 0, Allera 0. QUARTERSCORES: 28-34, 63-60, 87-93, 121-121, 133-126.