Talk ‘N Text slips past Rain or Shine

Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk N Text (light) vs Jervy Cruz and Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines —Talk ‘N Text flirted with defeat before coming out with a thrilling, 83-81, win over Rain or Shine in the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at the Alonte Sports Center in Biñan, Laguna.

The Tropang Texters took an 83-76 lead after a basket by Ranidel de Ocampo near the two-minute mark but had to hold their breaths in the dwindling seconds before letting out a sigh of relief after Paul Lee’s wide open game-winning triple sailed right as time lapsed.

Jimmy Alapag hit 15 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, which opened things up for the Tropang Texters, who notched their second win in three games. Alapag also dished out five assists.

Jeff Chan cut a seven-point TNT lead down to just two, 83-81, with 30.5 seconds to go after picking up the offensive rebound on a missed triple by Lee.

Jayson Castro couldn’t connect from long distance with nine ticks left that got the ball back to the Elasto Painters, whose final play coming off a timeout with four seconds left was well executed with Lee just missing an uncontested 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Swingman Larry Fonacier tallied 14 points and 11 rebounds while Niño Canaleta added 15 to help the Texters send the Painters to their third setback in four stints.

Former Philadelphia 76ers reserve Rodney Carney had a subpar 13-point outing in his debut with Talk ‘N Text. Carney was tapped to replace Othyus Jeffers, who had 38 points in the Texters’ other win, due to contract problems in the NBA.

Arizona Reid had 19 points while Chan registered 12 for ROS.

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