Ivan Johnson of Talk N Text (dark) vs Solo Alabi of Barako Bull (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
They are on to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
Talk ‘N Text straight up put Barako Bull on the list of extinct animals after a 127-97 destruction in their lone quarterfinal game on Saturday afternoon at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Texters were as hot as the sun and rained a merciless assault on the hapless Energy going 45-23 at the end of the first.
Leading Talk ‘N Text was their fired up import Ivan Johnson who made basketball easy, scoring 30 points just in the first half.
Texters head coach Jong Uichico, even with the convincing game, has set his eyes on the semifinals and put the quarterfinals behind them.
“When it comes to the semifinals, that’s a different story,” Uichico said whose team will face either Alaska or Purefoods. “It’s playing against the best of the best.”
“Of course the players know how to psyche themselves up.”
TNT were so far ahead that their starters did not play a single minute in the final quarter.
Johnson finished with 35 points and 15 rebounds while four more players scored in double figures for the Texters.
Jayson Castro had 18 points, seven assists, and three steals while big man Ranidel de Ocampo had 16 points.
Swingmen Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Larry Fonacier combined for 22 points.
JC Intal and Solomon Alabi combined for 45 points for the eliminated Energy. RC
The scores:
Talk N Text 127—Johnson 35, Castro 18, De Ocampo 16, Rosser 12, Fonacier 10, Alas 8, Seigle 8, Washington 5, Williams 4, Espiritu 3, Carey 2, Labagala 2, Reyes 2, Aban 2, Miller 0
Barako Bull 97—Alabi 23, Intal 22, Lanete 13, Pascual 12, Garcia 6, Lastimosa 6, Marcelo 6, Mercado 4, Hubalde 3, salvador 2, Salva 0, Paredes 0
Quarters: 45-23; 75-44; 101-73; 127-97