Hotshots take 1-0 semis lead over Texters in PBA semis

TALK ‘N TEXT import Ivan Jonhson dunks off Purefoods’ Joe Devance in their semifinal opener last night at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Purefoods used a huge, early lead as buffer in holding off Talk ‘N Text Wednesday night, 100-94, to draw first blood in their best-of-five Final Four series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Denzel Bowles was the reason for the hot start by the defending champion Star Hotshots, shooting 29 of his 49 in the first two periods as Purefoods erected leads of as large as 21, which the Tropang Texters never got to overhaul.

Talk ‘N Text bravely crawled back, creeping to within 83-84 heading into the final 8:40 before the Hotshots rode some clutch baskets from Bowles and James Yap while getting some good breaks in officiating.

“You can’t hold a good team (Talk ‘N Text) down,” Purefoods coach Tim Cone said. “We certainly couldn’t hold them back. They (Texters) just got themselves into too much of a hole.”

Game 2 of this series is scheduled on Monday because of the Holy Week break, and Cone needs all the time he can get to have Bowles regain his legs and for Marc Pingris to recover from a nasty left ankle sprain.

“A big part of this series is Ping’s health,” Cone said. “If he’s not healthy, it will be very difficult for us.”

Ivan Johnson paced the Texters with 33 points and Jason Castro had 19 with Ranidel de Ocampo chipping in 15.

Johnson, though, never got going offensively until the third period, shooting 28 of his total in the final two quarters as the Texters almost erased a 62-41 deficit early in the third period.

The scores:

PUREFOODS 100—Bowles 49, Yap 18, Mallari 8, Pingris 6, Simon 5, Barroca 4, Melton 3, Devance 3, Reavis 2, Maliksi 2, Pennisi 0.

TALK ‘N TEXT 94—Johnson 33, Castro 19, De Ocampo 15, Alas 9, Fonacier 9, Rosser 7, Washington 2, Williams 0, Seigle 0, Aban 0.

Quarters: 33-17, 51-36, 81-70, 100-94