INQUIRER Photo/ August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines—Jason Castro topped a career-scoring night with the game-winning lay-up in the final 5.3 seconds Wednesday night as Talk ‘N Text nipped Barako Bull, 81-79, to advance to the PBA Philippine Cup’s Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters actually came back from 16 points down in the first half, riding Castro’s 20 points in the stretch as Talk ‘N Text clinched a semis berth right in its first try and will await the winner of the Meralco-Petron Blaze series.
Castro finished with 32 points, 14 of them in the final frame.
Willie Miller had earlier tied the count for the last time at 79 with 23.4 seconds left with an off-balanced short stab off Japeth Aguilar.
“We had to play a very measured game. We needed to have some gas in the second half,” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes said.
Powerade tripped B-Meg in the second game, 97-88, to forge a decider in their quarterfinal matchup.
Gary David, the tournament’s leading scorer, scored all of his 32 points in the first three periods before his much-maligned backup crew delivered in the fourth as the eighth-seeded Tigers moved within another victory of upsetting the top seeds.
“I don’t think that there is any doubt in the minds of our players that we can compete,” Powerade coach Bo Perasol told reporters.
Rookie Marcio Lassiter took over when David cooled off, shooting 11 of his 24 in the final period, including a triple at the 4:33 mark which gave the Tigers a 92-80 lead.
The scores:
First Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 81—Castro 32, Alapag 15, Williams 14, Aguilar 10, Carey 8, Fonacier 2, Dillinger 0, Reyes 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0.
BARAKO BULL 79—Pennisi 16, Miller 15, Pena 12, Seigle 9, Allado 9, Ababou 6, Arboleda 6, Salvacion 3, Gatumbato 2, Artadi 1, Aquino 0, Najorda 0.
Quarters: 17-25, 30-44, 56-59, 81-79
Second Game
POWERADE 97—David 32, Lassiter 24, Kramer 10, Anthony 9, Casio 9, Vanlandingham 5, Adducul 5, Lingganay 3, Allera 0, Cruz 0, Crisano 0, Antonio 0.
B-MEG 88—Yap J. 21, Simo 16, Pingris 13, Raymundo 10, Urbiztondo 8, Barroca 6, De Vance 6, Yap R. 6, Reavis 2.
Quarters: 27-21, 50-39, 79-71, 97-88