Ranidel De Ocampo (right) FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Ranidel de Ocampo’s triple in the waning seconds of Game 2 ended Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s hopes of a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semifinals series.
But what led to de Ocampo’s shot and eventually allowed Talk ‘N Text to knot it all up at 1-1 Sunday night was the Tropang Texters’ 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter, a surge that had the Gin Kings prevented from happening, the game wouldn’t have boiled down to de Ocampo’s clutch basket.
“We had a run in the third quarter and then fourth quarter they had their run,” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua, moments after absorbing a 79-85 setback. “And it seems that hindi namin na-stop yung run nila which is crucial.”
Everything appeared to be going the Kings’ way in the third quarter after de Ocampo sat back on the bench with four fouls to start the second half.
TNT, with a lineup as depleted as its opponent without several key players in Ali Peek, Kelly Williams and Jared Dillinger, struggled offensively sans its versatile big man as Ginebra capitalized to take a 68-59 lead with only a quarter left to play.
Quickly though, the Texters fought back with a 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter that turned a nine-point deficit to a three-point lead, 71-68, with eight minutes remaining – key stretch in the game that paved the way for a nip-and-tuck payoff period where TNT proved to be the steadier team this time around.
“Lumaban pa rin kami hanggang dulo kaso lang, kung kailan pinaka-close na close saka naka-shoot ng three points si Ranidel,” added Chua. “We’ll get back at them.”
Their series resumes next Wednesday (May 8), following the All-star festivities, with both teams eyeing a pivotal 2-1 lead.