TNT beats Rain or Shine, remains unbeaten in PBA Philippine Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text gave Rain or Shine a taste of its own medicine after an 80-77 victory Saturday to remain undefeated in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Victorias Sports and Amusement Center in Negros Occidental.

Ranidel de Ocampo calmly made two free throws that set the final count with 16.5 seconds remaining as the Elasto Painters failed to convert on their last two attempts to tie the game.

ROS, which rallied from 18 down to nip San Mig Coffee, 80-79, last Wednesday, this time squandered a 13-point third quarter lead as TNT put the clamps down on defense down the stretch.

Jimmy Alapag buried the go-ahead triple, 74-73, to give the lead to the Tropang Texters for good with 3:33 left.

Jeff Chan, who had 22 points in the Painters win over the Mixers, was held to just four points.

ROS had two chances to tie the game but Ty Tang and JR Quinahan couldn’t connect. Tang had to hoist up a long and contested triple after Jeff Dillinger played hair-shirt defense on Chan for the ball denial while Quinahan had no choice but to catch and shoot with only 1.5 ticks left.

TNT, which missed the services of its leading scorer Jayson Castro due to injury, chalked up its sixth straight win while dealing Rain or Shine its second loss in six games.

Larry Fonacier led the Tropang Texters with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Jervy Cruz, who has been playing great basketball as of late, came through once again for Rain or Shine with 14 points and 11 rebounds before sitting out the final two minutes of the game after getting called for a flagrant foul penalty 1.