MANILA, Philippines – Talk N’ Text showed signs of wear but managed to pull through in overtime, 102-96, over Meralco Friday night in the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The Texters got a lift from import Omar Samhan, who missed his first nine shots before firing off 24 points, in overtime with an undergoal layin and clutch freethrows in the final minute.
Samhan also cleaned up 20 rebounds and blocked four shots in 44 minutes of action.
Talk N’ Text nearly wrapped up the game in regulation, but Ranidel De Ocampo’s potential gamewinner at the buzzer rattled out.
Jason Castro delivered a crucial trey with two minutes left in OT which gave the Texters the lead for good en route to the win.
Head coach Chot Reyes admits, though, that the team, which is fresh from a championship last conference – still needed to squeeze in more practices in order to get their groove and get used to Samhan in the fold.
“Starting Sunday, we’ll buckle down to get some real practice and time with our import,” said Reyes.
Meralco, which absorbed its second loss in three games, simply lost steam in extra time and just scored four points.
Jarrid Famous finished with 28 points but was rebounded by Samhan as he only registered 13, as he led the Bolts, including a three-point play which gave them a 90-89 lead.
But Meralco failed to capitalize on chances to take the game, missing opportunities to score and committed crucial miscues in the end game.