SAVE FOR a string of six straight free throws by import Jerome Jordan that touched off Talk ‘N Text’s closing run, the Tropang Texters barged into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s Final Four using their potent local crew to oust Petron Blaze.
Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes were both big offensively in the stretch and the Talk ‘N Text defense held the Boosters to seven points in the last nine minutes for a 96-86 victory and a 2-0 sweep of their quarterfinal series at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Once again, you have to give a lot of credit to the local players,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.
The Texters trailed, 77-79, when Jordan took to the line six straight times that made it 83-79 heading into the final 6:39, igniting a 19-7 finishing kick that had the Boosters eating their dust and taking a quarterfinal exit for the second straight tournament.
Talk ‘N Text clamped down hard on the Boosters, holding them to 12 points for the fourth quarter to eventually earn a date with either Barangay Ginebra or No. 2 Rain or Shine in a best-of-five Final Four series.
Alaska, the elimination round topnotcher, booked the first semifinal slot on Saturday after turning back Air21, 87-81, and is awaiting the result of the San Mig Coffee-Meralco quarterfinal pairing, whose series is tied at 1-all after the Mixers beat the Bolts in the second game last night, 100-92.
The No. 7 Gin Kings and the Elasto Painters play their KO match today also at the Big Dome./inquirer