Talk N Text rebounds, turns back Meralco
Game today
Araneta Coliseum
8 p.m.- Brgy. Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine
The Talk N Text Tropang Texters bounced back from a sorry loss the last time out, venting their ire on the Meralco Bolts with a dominating 108-104 win last night in the semifinal round of the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
It was just the Texters’ first semifinal victory after they started they playoffs with a 91-94 defeat against the undermanned B-Meg Llamados last Saturday.
Overall, the Texters improve their record to 6-5 (win-loss).
The lopsided win was crucial for the Texters as they may have no longer have the chance to land at the top two after the semis but it kept their chances of earning the ‘4-of-5’ incentive.
A team which finishes out of the top two after the semis but wins four of its five semifinal games will earn a playoff for the second finals berth.
The loss, eighth in 12 games, formally eliminated the Bolts from contention.
The Talk N Text locals starred in this win with Ranidel de Ocampo leading the scoring parade with 24 points. Japeth Aguilar tallied perhaps his best game as a Texters as he came up with 20 points.
Jimmy Alapag tossed in 12 points, while Kelly Williams donated 11 markers. Talk N Text import added 10 markers.
Mario West scored 21 points to lead the Bolts, who suffered a third straight setback since winning a sudden-death match against the Powerade Tigers to advance to the semis.
Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters try to firm up their hold of the number spot when they clash with the dangerous Barangay Ginebra Kings in today’s lone game at 8 p.m. at the same venue.
With league-leading 9-2 record, the Painters could inch closer to earning thier first finals appearance in franchise history with another victory today.
The Kings are also looking to increase their chances of earning a finals slot as they gun for their eighth victory.
The Kings started the semis with a gutsy 87-85 win over the Petron Blaze Boosters last Sunday.
With a 7-4 slate, the Kings are just half-game behind the 7-3 Llamados.
B-Meg was still playing Petron as of this writing.
BOX SCORES
TALK N’ TEXT (108)- De Ocampo 24, Aguilar 20, Alapag 12, Williams 11, Harris 10, Peek 8, Castro 7, Fonacier 5, Alvarez 5, Raymundo 4, Gamalinda 2, Aban 0, Lao 0.
MERALCO (84) – West 21, Cardona 13, Daa 11, Mercado 9, Bulawan 8, Taulava 6, Hugnatan 5, Ballesteros 4, Reyes 4, Borboran 3, Ross 0, Timberlake 0, Artadi 0.QUARTERSCORES: 31-16, 64-43, 89-63, 108-84.
