Texters book semis slot; key PBA twinbill today

TALK ‘N TEXT nailed an outright semifinal slot in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, yesterday—but that was the only thing cleared up yesterday as far as the playoffs of the PBA Commissioners Cup is concerned.

Using some timely outside sniping, the Texters peeled away from Rain or Shine in the second quarter last night before posting a 102-90 victory that gave them the luxury of doing away with upset-scary quarterfinal matches.

Reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag was at the forefront of a torrid shooting night for the Texters at the Hoops Dome as the defending champions rose to 6-2, while formally ousting the Elasto Painters.

Rain or Shine, after going deep in the Philippine Cup playoffs, closed out with a 3-6 tally and was the first team in the tournament to formally hit the showers.

“We’re really aiming for the top spot,” said substitute coach Nash Racela, who took over the duties of coach Chot Reyes, who stayed in Manila to attend the graduation of his son. “We still have a game to win.”

The other semifinal berth is being eyed by B-Meg, which takes on Powerade in one of two key matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that could clear up a hazy quarterfinal picture.

There are three remaining quarterfinal berths and two of them could be sealed depending on the outcome of today’s matches.

Powerade is looking for a victory that will push it to the quarterfinals when it tackles B-Meg at 4:15 p.m. while Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull take the court next with the winner nailing a hassle-free entry to the quarters.

The Tigers are hoping to bounce back from a bitter loss Friday night when they bungled a 92-76 fourth quarter lead with 5:25 left then lost to Alaska in overtime, 102-100.

Should Powerade and Barako Bull win, the Ginebra-Air21 game on Wednesday will decide the fate of Meralco and the Express.

Larry Fonacier, Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes were also lethal from afar, and import Donnell Harvey and Ranidel de Ocampo provided the muscle for the Texters underneath as they won this one convincingly.

From a 24-all count at the end of the first period, the Texters went on their tear and took a 10-point edge into the half.

Harvey finished with 32 points—his best in the PBA—and 16 rebounds as he won his personal match-up with Rain or Shine’s undersized import Duke Crews.

Meanwhile, Petron import Will McDonald has been penalized P20,000 by commissioner Chito Salud for hitting Barako Bull’s Mick Pennisi with the ball in their game last week.

McDonald escaped suspension and will play in the Boosters’ final elimination round game against the Texters on Wednesday.

The scores:

TALK ‘N TEXT 102—Harvey 32, Alapag 17, Williams 15, Fonacier 13, De Ocampo 8, Castro 6, Reyes 5, Carey 2, Aguilar 2, Raymundo 2, Dillinger 0, Gamalinda 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 90—Crews 25, Lee 18, Chan 13, Araña 13, Belga 6, Quiñahan 4, Cruz 4, Buenafe 3, Norwood 2, Ibañes 2, Tang 0

Quarters: 24-24, 52-42, 75-61, 102-90