TALK ‘N Text import Paul Harris tries to dribble free from a swarming Barako Bull defense in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines–Packing too much firepower and playing hard-nosed defense, Talk ‘N Text on Tuesday night broke away near the end of the third quarter to rout Barako Bull, 99-84, for the first Final Four slot in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Niño Canaleta came off the bench to knock in six triples on the way to 25 points, and Paul Harris scattered 24 that went with 13 boards as the Texters needed just one game to advance to a best-of-five series against San Mig Coffee.
Game 1 of that series starts Thursday.
“It will be a tough semis,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said.
The Grand Slam-seeking Mixers rallied from 16 points down to nip the San Miguel Beermen, 97-90, in the nightcap.
Marqus Blakely fired 25 points and Justin Melton plugged the hole created by the absence of Peter June Simon to shoot 16 as the Mixers dropped 31 points in the fourth period to close out the Beermen also in their first try.
Simon couldn’t even make it to the venue Tuesday night, complaining of severe back spasms and informing the coaching staff only two hours before game time.
Ranidel de Ocampo was the second Texter with a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Gilas Pilipinas standout also had seven assists, even as Black got a fourth man with twin digits in scoring as Jason Castro contributed 16.
Allen Durham led the Energy with 25 points but was effectively taken out of the offensive flow by the Talk ‘N Text defense in the fourth quarter, the big reason, Black said, the Texters were able to break away.
“It was a great team effort by my players today; we were very balanced,” Black said. “One of the keys for my team is to get at least four guys scoring [big]. KG [Canaleta] just had an exceptional shooting night.”
The Texters hit 50 percent of its field-goal shots and all of 10 free throws in the third period, as they easily erased a 41-43 halftime deficit to take a 73-65 lead into the fourth.
Barako Bull’s defense also broke down in the third as the Energy yielded 32 points—just nine less than what they gave up on the Texters the entire first half.
In Wednesday’s matches, Rain or Shine and Alaska, ranked second and third, respectively, in the playoffs, also gun for that one win that would give them Final Four slots against Air21 and Barangay Ginebra, respectively.
The Elasto Painters battle the Express in the 5:45 p.m. game, with the Aces tangling with the Gin Kings at 8 p.m., also at the Big Dome in Cubao.
Fajardo paces player race
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer took a commanding lead in the statistical points race for the Best Player of the Conference award with an average of 43.8 SPs.
The 6-foot-10 sophomore, already the Philippine Cup BPC, has a lead of over six SPs over another giant, Air21’s Asi Taulava, with Clifford Hodge of Meralco, Greg Slaughter of Barangay Ginebra and De Ocampo rounding out the top five.
Fajardo paces the league in scoring and rebounding with averages of 21.8 points and 16.0 boards, respectively.
THE SCORES:
First Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 99—Canaleta 25, Harris 24, Castro 16, De Ocampo 14, Williams 7, Fonacier 4, Alapag 3, Reyes Ryan 2, Baclao 2, Carey 2, Aban 0, Reyes Jai 0, Espiritu 0.
BARAKO 84—Durham 25, Jensen 17, Miranda 12, Pennisi 11, Fortuna 6, Wilson 5, Miller 4, Marcelo 4, Deutchman 0, Intal 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 41-43, 73-65, 99-84
Second Game
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 97—Blakely 25, Melton 16, Devance 14, Maliksi 9, Pingris 8, Sangalang 8, Yap 7, Barroca 6, Mallari 2, Reavis 2, Taha 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 90—Williams 21, Santos 21, Fajardo 16, Tubid 8, Lassiter 8, Ross 5, Mercado 4, Maierhofer 3, Kramer 2, Lutz 2, Lanete 0.
Quarters: 14-27, 44-48, 66-70, 97-90