Paul Lee of Rain or Shine (dark) vs Richard Howell of Talk N Text (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text came back to beat Rain or Shine, 91-85, in a heated semifinals opener in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jayson Castro led the Tropang Texters in scoring with 16 points while hardworking import Richard Howell had 14 points and 22 rebounds but it was Jimmy Alapag’s hot hand which got the Texters fired up in the final frame.
Alapag scored 15 points, 11 coming in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, where TNT created separation en route to its 11th straight win.
Alapag went hardly missed from long range, making four of his five attempts, with his last triple giving his team an 84-76 lead with 5:54 left.
Paul Lee cut Talk ‘N Text’s lead down to five but the referees called an out of bounds play that would’ve given the possession to Rain or Shine but instead it led to a Ranidel de Ocampo free throw with under 20 seconds left.
“I think that’s probably the series is going to go. It’s going to be intense physical and rugged. We just have to do a good job of controlling our emotions,” TNT coach Norman Black, whose team trailed and rallied from 10 points down, told reporters.
“Second half we played a lot better defense we still couldn’t solve their middle pick and roll. Rich (Howell) did a good job limiting them to just one shot.”
Wayne Chism had 25 points, 22 rebounds and seven blocks for the Painters, who were without guards Chris Tiu and Gabe Norwood.
Tiu missed the game because of an injured knee while Norwood was invited to attend the State dinner with President Aquino and US President Barack Obama at the Malacañang.