De Ocampo helps Talk ‘N Text weather ROS rally

Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine (light) vs Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk N Text (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Talk ‘N Text blew a 20-point lead before salvaging a 90-87 win over Rain or Shine in the 2014 PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ranidel de Ocampo scored 20 points, eight coming in the fourth quarter including a go-ahead jumper from mid-range that gave the lead for good to the Tropang Texters, 88-86, with only 1:01 left.

Kelly Williams made the key defensive stop after taking the ball away from Jeff Chan as time ran out.

“I think it would be an understatement to say it’s a big win because it’s a huge win for us mainly because Rain or Shine is a very strong team and we knew it was going to be difficult game for us to get by,” said TNT head coach Norman Black. “Hopefully, we could build on this win.”

The Elasto Painters trailed, 23-43, at one point in the second quarter before grabbing the upper hand on a jumper by Jervy Cruz, 83-82, with 3:24 remaining.

A basket by de Ocampo and a free throw each by Jayson Castro and Danny Seigle put Talk ‘N Text ahead by three, 86-83, before Paul Lee knotted the count at 86 for the third and final time with a tough shot after Beau Belga split his charities with 1:05 to go.

“The whole idea is to keep track of the top two teams in the league today Petron and Ginebra to have a shot of the top two slots,” added Black, whose team is now in third place with a 4-2 record just behind Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (5-1) and Petron Blaze (7-0).

Cruz had 14 points, 12 in the second half, while Gabe Norwood scored 10 of his 13 points in the final frame. The Elasto Painters, who got out-rebounded, 47-64, slid into a tie with GlobalPort with a 4-3 mark.