RANIDEL De Ocampo (right) of TNT forces a jump ball with Meralco’s Brian Butch in last night’s game at Cuneta Astrodome. Photo by August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines — Ranidel de Ocampo led Talk ‘N Text in shutting down Brian Butch and Meralco Friday night as the Tropang Texters cruised to a 91-68 victory to remain unscathed in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Cuneta Astrodome.
The 6-foot-7 national team mainstay was also brilliant on the other end, leading the balanced Talk ‘N Text offensive machine with 15 points as the Texters broke away in the second period on the way to their fifth straight win.
That guaranteed their march into the quarterfinals, but coach Norman Black has a bigger target in sight: Bag one of two twice-to-beat incentives in the first round of the playoffs.
“Whatever success we have right now, we want to continue and get one of the top two slots,” Black told reporters. “If there’s one thing I am really happy about (with the streak) is that we’re not shooting really well but we’re still winning games.”
So effective was the Texters’ defense that those 68 points by the Bolts were the franchise’s lowest in an import-spiced conference.
Jason Castro added 14 points like Larry Fonacier, and Richard Howell and Harvey Carey combined for another 24 as Talk ‘N Text posted its most impressive win to date.
De Ocampo had Butch’s number right in the second quarter and the Meralco import struggled to finish with 16 points.
“Going into this game, our defensive game plan was complicated because of the talent of Brian Butch,” said Black, referring to the ability of Meralco’s import to take the game to the perimeter. “Ranidel established our defensive intensity by playing good defense on Butch.”
The loss was the second for the Bolts in four games.
Barangay Ginebra snapped a two-game slide later in the night and added to Globalport’s woes, scoring a 113-107 win that put the Gin Kings back at .500 at 2-2 and into the middle of the 10-team pack.
Mark Caguioa was the spark yet again for the Kings, scoring 15 points that went with 14 rebounds as Ginebra kept the Batang Pier winless in five games.
The scores:
First Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 91—De Ocampo 15, Castro 14, Fonacier 14, Howell 13, Carey 11, Canaleta 9, Williams 7, Salamat 2, Baclao 2, Alapag 2, Reyes Ro. 1, Reyes Ry. 1, Aban 0, Reyes J. 0.
MERALCO 68—Butch 16, Wilson 11, David 8, Caram 5, Hugnatan 5, Mandani 5, Ildefonso 4, Hodge 4, Salvacion 3, Dillinger 3, Al-Hussaini 2, Guevarra 2, Bringas 0.
Second Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 113—Rodgers 33, Caguioa 15, Helterbrand 14, Tenorio 11, Aguilar 10, Baracael 9, Mamaril 7, Ellis 6, Slaughter 5, Urbiztondo 2, Reyes 1.
GLOBALPORT 107—Brock 36, Cabagnot 16, Macapagal 14, Matias 10, Romeo 10, Washington 7, Nabong 4, Ponferrada 4, Chua 2, Garcia 2, Custodio 2, Salva 0, Salvador 0.
Quarters: 25-28, 53-52, 87-78, 113-107
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