Defending champion Talk ’N Text banks on endgame poise to take 2-0 lead in PBA Finals

The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters once again flaunted their veteran smarts, toughening up in the endgame to turn back the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 89-81, in Game 2 of their best-of-seven championship series of the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena last night.

Duplicating their 87-81 Game 1 victory, the Texters now have an imposing 2-0 series lead, needing two more wins to nail their third straight All-Filipino crown.

Mirroring their efforts in Game 1, the Painters rallied from double-digit deficits but simply couldn’t crack the Texters’ endgame poise.

Rain or Shine trailed by as many as 11 points in the third quarter but saw themselves leading for the first time, 59-57, in the 2:03 mark of the period.

Rain or Shine stretched the lead to 61-57 but Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams each hit a triple in a 6-2 run as Talk ’N Text tied the count at 63 apiece heading to the final period.

Talk ’N Text sustained its rally and built a 73-67 lead.

Rain or Shine, however, wasn’t done as it uncorked a 9-2 blast to retake the upper-hand, 76-75, with 5:20 left.

Williams convreted a three-pointer play, Jared Dillinger knocked in a long jumper before De Ocampo scored four straight points as the Texters seized full control by sailing to an 84-76 advantage, 2:54 to go.

De Ocampo went on to lead the Texters with 24 points, while Jayson Castro added 21.

Burly forward JR Quiñahan paced Rain or Shine with 16 markers.

BOX SCORES

TALK N’ TEXT (89)- De Ocampo 24, Castro 21, Williams 12, Fonacier 7, Dillinger 6, Aban 6, Reyes 4, Carey 4, Alapag 3, Peek 2, Raymundo 0, Ferriols 0.

RAIN OR SHINE (81)-Quiñahan 16, Lee 15, Cruz 12, Norwood 9, Chan 9, Arana 9, Matias 4, Belga 3, Rodriguez 2, Ibanes 2, Tiu 0, Tang 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 23-15, 44-35, 63-63, 89-81.