TNT forward Kelly Williams barrels into Jireh Ibañez of Rain or Shine in last night’s Game 2 at MOA Arena. Williams was called for an offensive foul. INQUIRER/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Talk N’ Text bottled up Rain or Shine’s big guns for the second straight game last night, and the best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup Finals many thought would be a long series is suddenly waving a checkered flag right around the corner.
The Tropang Texters zoomed to a 2-0 lead after getting 24 points from Ranidel de Ocampo and 21 from Jason Castro in an 89-81 victory where most of the men who took the Elasto Painters this far couldn’t deliver when needed at Mall of Asia Arena.
“As a team, we played good defense,” Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said. “That’s what we have to do to be able to win this series. I think our defense really held up.”
De Ocampo posted his highest output of the season, shooting six of the Texters’ final nine points as Talk ‘N Text moved within another two wins of becoming the first team in 30 years to win this conference three straight seasons.
But Black is not about to fall into a relaxed state.
“I’m going up against Yeng Guiao, I wouldn’t be talking anything about any sweep,” said Black.
The scores:
TALK ‘N TEXT 89—De Ocampo 24, Castro 21, Williams 12, Fonacier 7, Dillinger 6, Aban 6, Reyes 4, Carey 4, Alapag 3, Peek 2, Raymundo 0, Ferriols 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 81—Quiñahan 16, Lee 15, Cruz 12, Norwood 9, Chan 9, Araña 9, Matias 4, Belga 3, Rodriguez 2, Ibañes 2, Tiu 0, Tang 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 44-35, 63-63, 89-81