MANILA, Philippines – Talk n Text got away with a swashbuckling second-half run and ripped Air21, 103-89, to emerge elimination-round topnotcher for the second straight PBA conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
The TnT starters sustained the momentum provided by their shock-troopers as the Tropang Texters cut loose from a tight game in the third quarter and went on to complete a closing five-game streak in the Season 36 Philippine Cup elims phase.
Winding up with at 11-3, Talk n Text bumped off San Miguel Beer for the top seeding in the playoffs while leaving Air21’s aspiration for the Top Six in the balance.
“We approached this game as the start of the best-of-three quarterfinals. We’re now 1-0, needing only to win once to make the next round,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
As the top seed, the Tropang Texters will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters either versus the Express, the Alaska Milk Aces or the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
“Coming to this game, we didn’t give a thought who would be our quarters matchup. We told ourselves to just come out and play. Traditionally, we’ve have trouble against these teams (Alaska, Rain or Shine and Air21),” said Reyes.
Air21 finished with a 6-8 win-loss record. It would salvage the sixth seed only if both Alaska and Rain or Shine lose their games in the closing playdate of the elims Wednesday.
The Aces take on the Powerade Tigers at 5 p.m. then the Elasto Painters go up against the Meralco Bolts B-Boys at 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra, though assured of the third seed, refused to relax and whipped Rain or Shine, 99-88, in the second game.
Ginebra wound up at 10-4 as it dealt Rain or Shine a painful loss that eased the Elasto Painters out of the fight for the Top Six.
“We wanted to try things and, of course, we wanted to win to have a high morale going into the quarters,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
Kelly Williams scored 11 of his 15 points in the third quarter leading a decisive assault that opened an 80-61 gap for the Texters going into the final period.
It took time for the Texters to get their game going, needing boost from their second unit to get a 49-43 cushion at the half.
Ronjay Buenafe put in double-figure output right in the early minutes with Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Rey Guevarra and Erick Rodriguez providing support as the Express took the opening quarter at 25-23.
There was no stopping the Texters though as Jason Castro, Aaron Aban and Ali Peek got them going in the second period.
“This ball game was saved by our second unit,” said Reyes.
“Our starters started flat but it’s kind of expected coming off a tough game the last time out. The second unit played fantastic off the bench in the second quarter then our starting lineup came out playing their regular game in the third quarter,” Reyes added.
Harvey Carey came through with a double-double game with 14 rebounds and 13 points while Williams, Ryan Reyes, Castro, Jared Dillinger and Aban chipped in double-digit markers.
Buenafe paced the losing team with 17 points.