Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk N Text (dark) vs Marc Pingris of San MIg Coffee (light). Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines — Talk N’ Text pumped life into its semifinals bid by slipping past San Mig Coffee, 82-77, Friday in the 2014 PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jayson Castro took charge for the Texters in the fourth period, while Ryan Reyes nailed timely triples to frustrate the Mixers’ swarming defense down the stretch and send the series to a do-or-die match.
Castro repeatedly broke down the defense with two nifty drives then sent a tough kick-out pass to Reyes for a triple and 76-66 lead, a luxury with the Mixers harrying them every chance they could get.
Castro finished with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists while Reyes added 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Newly-acquired KG Canaleta also had 13, providing the scoring punch downtown with 3.
But it was the Texters’ defense, which held Mark Barroca and Simon to just 12 points apiece, that head coach Norman Black thought carried them to the win.
“We figured it out that we won’t beat San Mig Coffee if we don’t play defense,” said Black, whose squad bowed to the Mixers in game one, 83-90.
“That’s really the key. They’re a really good defensive team and you’re not gonna score not many points against them so you defend them as best as you can.”
The Texters and the Mixers face each other for the last time this conference on Sunday with a seat in the semifinals at stake.
San Mig Coffee, which managed to weather Talk N’ Text first quarter surge only to the lose grip for good late in the second period, wouldn’t allow the Texters to pull away but couldn’t get neared that six in the fourth.
Simon had a chance to put them within three, but his left corner triple caromed out with 24.6 seconds to play — his second bungled attempt at inching the Mixers closer in the fourth.
Joe Devance led the Mixers with 13 points while James Yap, seemingly bothered by an injury, was limited to just five.