Ranidel De Ocampo vs Chris Ellis. PBA IMAGES / Nuki Sabio
Not that he’s playing favorites, but Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black just doesn’t want to face either Alaska or Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals—and with a twice-to-beat disadvantage at that.
Black’s Tropang Texters took a significant step out of that perilous path in the playoffs with a 100-86 shackling of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings last night at Mall of Asia Arena.
Former New York Knicks Jerome Jordan delivered in an auspicious debut, finishing with 23 points and grabbing 17 boards as the Tropang Texters climbed to a tie for fourth spot with idle Petron at 7-6. The Gin Kings fell to solo fifth so far at 7-7.
Ranidel de Ocampo pumped in 20 points, including a key triple with five minutes remaining, Jason Castro had 14 and Ryan Reyes and Jimmy Alapag chipped in 11 each for the Tropang Texters, who are now in a good position of finishing at least in sixth spot at the end of the eliminations.
The seventh and eighth seeds at the end of the next round will face Elasto Painters and the Aces in the quarterfinals.
“We have to make sure we get the better quotient and don’t play Alaska or Rain or Shine with a disadvantage,” said Black.
The 7-foot Jordan also proved a tough matchup for Ginebra import Vernon Macklin who wound up with only 12 points, less than half of his scoring average.
Meanwhile, former University of Santo Tomas standout Allein Maliksi notched a career-high 25 points to power Barako Bull past Globalport, 96-87, in the opener and end its campaign on a winning note.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO 96—Maliksi 25, Urbiztondo 17, Mbenga 14, Macapagal 12, Seigle 11, Monfort 7, Intal 5, Pennisi 5, Duncil 0, Kramer 0.
GLOBALPORT 87—David 28, Yee 11, Aguilar 8, Miller 8, Morgan 7, Deutchman 7, Mandani 4, Aljamal 4, Salvador 4, Lingganay 2, Juntilla 2, Antonio 2, Belencion 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 39-35, 69-56, 96-87
Second Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 100—Jordan 23, De Ocampo 20, Castro 14, Reyes 11, Alapag 11, Al-Hussaini 7, Dillinger 5, Carey 4, Peek 4, Fonacier 1, Raymundo 0, Aban 0.
GINEBRA 86—Raymundo 22, Tenorio 15, Baracael 13, Macklin 12, Helterbrand 12, Ellis 5, Hatfield 4, Maierhofer 3, Taha 0, Jensen 0, Labagala 0, Espiritu 0.
Quarters: 32-27, 47-37, 70-63, 100-86