Castro denies NLEX comeback, lifts Talk ‘N Text at the buzzer

Jason Castro of Talk N Text (dark) vs Rudy Lingganay of NLEX (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Everything went by so fast it became one big blur.

Jayson Castro pulled up and shot the game-winner that lifted the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters over the NLEX Road Warriors 98-96 Friday evening in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup showdown at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Talk ‘N Text had 29-point lead, 59-30, in the second quarter but all of its foundation crumbled in the immense pressure that NLEX gave.

Texters head coach Jong Uichico admitted that they did not have the capabilities in handling their precious lead which the Road Warriors snacked on.

“We need to do a good job of handling their comeback,” Uichico said whose team are now in second with a 5-1 win-loss record behind the undefeated Meralco Bolts who are unblemished in five games.

“Up by 20-plus points and some slippages on our defense and we made them score a lot of points. We’re lucky to get through that game.”

NLEX went on a 13-0 tear with import Willie Thornton putting the two teams level at 96-97 from the charity stripe with 8.9 seconds left.

Texters import Ivan Johnson paced his team in the offense with 32 points while also grabbing 10 boards.

Castro added 16 points while forward Ranidel de Ocampo pitched in 13 for the Texters.

Thornton led all scorers with 37 points to go along 14 rebounds while fellow Road Warrior had 13 points for the 1-4 NLEX.