PBA: Texters rebound, trump Batang Pier

Ivan Johnson of Talk N Text (light) vs Mark Isip and Calvin Warner of Globalport (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text redeemed itself from a stunning loss to Kia with a 96-88 win over Globalport in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Forward Ranidel de Ocampo scored 25 points, five rebounds and three assists while import Ivan Johnson posted 35 points and 20 rebounds for the Tropang Texters, who gained s half a game lead in the standings over idle Rain or Shine and Meralco with a 6-2 record.

The Texters bounced back from a 106-103 loss to the Kia Carnival last Wednesday.

“Good comeback in today’s game,” said TNT head coach Jong Uichico. “We really focused. Good win. I thought we really did a pretty good job defensively. We did a good job rebounding, which translated to our offense.”

Johnson, the former Atlanta Hawks forward, converted a three-point play and drilled in a 3-pointer to give Talk ‘N Text the biggest lead of the game, 96-83, with only 2:13 left.

The Batang Pier, who slid to 4-4, came up with quite a number of empty possessions down the stretch.