Talk ‘N Text boots out Rain or Shine with 102-90 victory at Lapu-Lapu’s Hoops Dome

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

4:15 p.m.- Powerade vs. B-Meg

6:30 p.m.- Ginebra vs. Barako Bull

Minus their head coach and a key big man, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters boosted their outright semifinal bid by chalking up a 102-90 win over the eliminated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night in an out-of-town game of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

Donnel Harvey scored 32 points and hauled down 16 rebounds, while Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Larry Fonacier chipped in twin digits in the Texters’ sixth win in eight games.

The Texters, the B-Meg Llamados and the Alaska Aces are already assured of a spot in the playoffs.

Talk ’N Text only needs to win their last assignment to formally earn the first of two outright semis berths.

The Painters were formally eliminated as they ended their elimination round with six losses and three wins.

The Texters, who played without head coach Chot Reyes (personal matters) and big man Alip Peek (injured left hand), broke free from a tight contest in the first quarter, shattering a 32-all standoff in the second period with 10 unanswered points to post the game’s first double-digit lead, 42-32.

Rain or Shine sliced the deficit, 42-47, late in the second but Talk ‘N Text ended the first half with a 5-0 blitz to lead by 10 at the turn, 52-42.

The Texters built double-digit leads the rest of the way, including several 15-point leads for the easy victory.

Duke Crews topped the Painters with 25 points to go with 22 rebounds, while Jeff Chan and Ryan Araña added 13 each.

Cebuano JR Quiñahan, who gave the crowd a welcome message before the game, was held down to only four points

POSTSCRIPT:

Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Harry Radaza took part in the 24-second half time freethrow shooting contest, where he missed his first attempt before making eight-in-a-row to defeat three other contestants.