The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters moved within the threshold of capturing their third straight All-Filipino crown, clawing back from nine points down in the fourth quarter to down the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Talk ’N Text peppered Rain or Shine with an avalanche of three pointers in the fourth quarter as it made five straight triples in a big rally en route to gaining a commanding 3-0 series lead.
At the forefront of Talk ’N Tex’s late offensive onslaught was Jimmy Alapag, whose three trifectas in the endgame took the wind out of Rain or Shine’s sails.
Rain or Shine appeared on its way of finally nailing its first win in the series when Beau Belga connected on a three pointer that gave his team a 70-61 cushion early in the fourth quarter.
The lead, however, quickly vanished when Talk ’N Text uncorked a 7-0 blast to come to within 68-70. Ryan Reyes had a triple in that run.
Alapag hit a three pointer, Reyes made two free throws and Ranidel De Ocampo buried his own trifecta in a run that saw the Texters tying the count at 76-all in the final 5:52.
The two squads traded missed shots in the next plays before Alapag delivered the killer blows.
The former Most Valuable Player awardee hit the go-ahead triple then added another after a Rain or Shine turnover as the Texters erected an 82-76 lead with 3:13 left.
“It was a tough defensive battle but I finally shook free from Rain or Shine’s defense,” said Alapag, who finished with 15 points.
Jervy Cruz converted a three-point play with 2:34 left for Rain or Shine’s first points since the game was tied at 76.
Reyes, however, answered with two freebies then Jayson Castro fired a triple that iced Talk ’N Text’s resounding victory.
Castro finished with a game-high 19 points, De Ocampo tallied 13, while Reyes and Kelly Williams contributed 11 apiece.