Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net
It’s finally over.
Talk N’ Text withstood Rain or Shine, 121-119, in double overtime to take home the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown on Wednesday.
Ranidel De Ocampo scored a career-best 34 points, sparking the incredible second overtime assault when he scored the Texters’ first eight points for a 114-108 lead.
The trusty bigman, who went on to win the finals MVP, went 6-of-9 shooting from deep, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Paul Lee cut the Talk N’ Text lead to one, 119-118 when he hit from deep with 17.0 seconds remaining but Larry Fonacier drained his two free throws with 13.1 ticks left to give the Texters a 121-118 cushion.
Jayson Castro, realizing that his team had a three-point lead, fouled Lee with 3.1 seconds remaining.
Lee intentionally missed his second free-throw, after making the first, in an attempt for a field goal but Talk N’ Text import Ivan Johnson grabbed the board and essentially the seventh title for the Tropang Texters.
It was head coach Jong Uichico’s first title since his 2008 Fiesta Cup title with Ginebra.
“It was a great game. I didn’t know what I was going to do anymore. The players won the game for us,” said Uichico, who clinched his ninth title as a head coach.
De Ocampo averaged 24.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks in the grueling finals series. CC
Photo from PBA