Texters survive Painters for 1-0 series lead

Ranidel de Ocampo of Talk N Text (light) vs Raymund Almazan of Rain or Shine (dark). PBA IMAGE

For someone who just took Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title series, Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico looked like he was the one who got waylaid Wednesday night.

“I am happy that we won, but I am not satisfied with the way we played,” Uichico said in a somber tone after his Tropang Texters scored a 99-92 decision of Rain or Shine for first blood in their best-of-seven championship series at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

“I am not satisfied at all,” he said, pointing out to the low level of intensity his wards displayed compared to the one Talk ‘N Text brandished against Purefoods in a Final Four series to remember.

“For sure,” Uichico answered when asked if he thought that their level of play dipped compared to the last week or so.

Ranidel de Ocampo scored 24 points and Ivan Johnson contributed 23, 12 rebounds and five assists and a cheap shot on Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who happens to also be a congressman, in the third period where he was lucky to get away with just a technical foul.

Wayne Chism paced the Elasto Painters with 34 but got very little local help, with only Paul Lee finishing in twin digits with 13 as the Texters played with command practically 99% of the way.

Talk ‘N Text opened up a 42-29 lead in the second period and kept the Painters within arm’s length the rest of the way, with the closest that Rain or Shine could come to was within five several times in the fourth.

But the Texters had an answer each time.

“We just have to come out ready to play on Friday (in Game 2),” Uichico said.

Rain or Shine continued to be winless in the last seven games against Talk ‘N Text in a series, having been swept in the Philippine Cup Finals in 2013 and blanked in the Final Four of this conference last season.

The scores:

TALK N’ TEXT 99 – De Ocampo 24, Johnson 23, Castro 14, Rosser 10, Fonacier 8, Williams 8, Washington 5, Alas 5, Carey 2, Aban 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 92 – Chism 34, Lee 13, Almazan 9, Chan 8, Tang 6, Norwood 5, Tiu 5, Ibanes 4, Arana 3, Belga 2, Quinahan 2, Cruz Jervy 1, Uyloan 0, Cruz Jericho 0.

Quarters:28-23, 49-41, 76-70, 99-92