Texters snap 4-game slide

RANIDEL de Ocampo and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser hit big baskets in the stretch yesterday and helped Talk ‘N Text rally past Blackwater, 98-91, snapping the Tropang Texters’ four-game losing streak in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

De Ocampo drained consecutive  triples when the game hung in the balance, while Rosser tossed in 11 of his total in the fourth to help the Texters finish strong and get back in the groove with a 4-5 record.

The loss was the seventh in eight games for the Elite, who paraded a new import in Marcus Cousin and pushed the Texters to the limit, leading by as large as 16 early in the second period only to lose steam when it truly mattered.

Larry Fonacier was also big for the Texters, shooting 20 points, with Asian import Sam Daghles firing 15 to make up for the lackluster offensive effort of American reinforcement Steffphon Pettigrew.

Brian Heruela paced the Elite with 21 while Cousin, who played four NBA games with the Utah Jazz, had 16 and just nine rebounds.

De Ocampo made Cousin look awful in the stretch as those two triples came over the outstretched hands of the Blackwater import, the last coming at the 1:21 mark which made it 96-89.

“We started badly and it was good that we were able to bounce back,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico.

Talk ‘N Text remained in the lower half of the standings and is still out of the playoff picture at this point of the elimination round.

Meanwhile, Alaska and Barako Bull clash today in a Petron Saturday Special doubleheader seeking a share of the lead with idle San Miguel Beer and at least a tie for a twice-to-beat privilege also at the Big Dome.

Game time is 3 p.m. before Rain or Shine faces defending champion Star in the 5:15 p.m. contest.

The scores:

First Game

TALK ’N TEXT 98—Rosser 21, Fonacier 20, Daghles 15, De Ocampo 14, Seigle 10, Pettigrew 7, Castro 7, Williams 4, Carey 0, Aban 0.

BLACKWATER 91—Heruela 21, Cousin 16, Faundo 14, Gamalinda 10, Cervantes 9, Celiz 7, Bulawan 5, Ballesteros 5, Acuna 3, Erram 1, Laure 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 16-24, 41-50, 70-71, 98-91