Howell struggles but Talk ‘N Text edges ROS behind de Ocampo, Castro

Rich Jackson of Rain or Shine (light) vs Richard Howell of Talk N Text (dark). NUKI SABIO

MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text leaned on its locals to buck a subpar showing from returning import Richard Howell and outplay Rain or Shine down the stretch, 89-86, in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Howell looked far from the his usually dominant self when he won Best Import in the same conference last season but fortunately for the Tropang Texters, veterans Ranidel de Ocampo and Jayson Castro came through.

“We don’t look pretty,” said a seemingly disappointed TNT head coach Jong Uichico. “I thought the first conference is the learning process and we’ll carry it over to the next but it seems like we’re starting the first conference again the way we’re playing.”

Castro scored a team-high 15 points, including a tough shot with 5.2 seconds left wherein he readjusted in midair to give the Texters a three-point lead. De Ocampo added 14 and he too came up big in crunchtime — hitting the go-ahead turn around jumper, 87-86, over JR Quiñahan with 52.6 ticks remaining.

Howell had just 13 points and 12 rebounds. He only had four points in the first half and was in foul trouble in the second half.

“He (Howell) just still has to learn not to get into foul trouble without losing his aggressiveness on defense,” said Uichico.

Rick Jackson posted a double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds in his PBA debut for the Elasto Painters, who took a 78-71 lead in the fourth period.

TNT grabbed the lead on a jumper by Howell, 85-84, before Jackson responded with his own from almost the same distance as ROS retook the advantage, 86-85, near the final minute.

Jackson settled for another jumper but this time missed after the Texters, who were again up by one after de Ocampo’s jump shot, denied Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee the ball.

The Texters again clamped down on Lee in the waning seconds as Chris Tiu had to take a well-contested triple from way out as time ran out on the Painters.

The game also marked the PBA return of two-time MVP Willie Miller after missing one conference.

Miller came off the bench and chipped in 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field, three rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes.

“I don’t think he hurt us today in fact he gave us somehow a scoring presence and that’s been his role ever since,” said Uichico.