Talk N Text levels series at 2-2

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text once again squared up the PBA Commissioners Cup finals last night in fighting with a great sense of urgency and pummeling B-Meg, 100-85, in a game marred by a melee when the result was already beyond doubt.

Forwards Jarred Dillinger and Larry Fonacier came out firing, boosting the Tropang Texters’ offensive sock as they again sprang back from a loss and reduced the best-of-seven series to a best-of-three affair.

It was actually a lopsided game, deprived of excitement and drama until reserve Talk n Text player Pamboy Raymundo committed a flagrant foul fresh from the bench as his team wrapped up the victory in the closing minutes.

The rookie guard from San Sebastian College incurred two flagrant infractions in playing just 14 seconds in this game that drew a crowd of nearly 19,000 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The crowd had started to line up for the exits with TnT enjoying a 96-81 lead when Raymundo planted an elbow on Josh Urbiztondo, triggering a near free-for-all.

Tension grew as Joe Devance flicked the ball on Raymundo’s face, then the Talk n Text player retaliated by hitting the tall B-Meg forward on the nape. Both players were thrown out of the contest.

“It’s unfortunate that that thing happened when the outcome had been decided. But it’s the finals. Emotions are high and everyone is on the edge. It’s dependent on which team is able to stay focused and plays above and beyond the physicality, the crowd, officiating and so forth and so on,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

B-Meg coach Tim Cone, however, insisted there’s no excuse for what Raymundo did.

So upset was Cone that he left the B-Meg bench and headed to their dugout with over a minute left to play.

“I was upset and I didn’t want to be there to get in trouble,” said Cone, who, before leaving, tumbled down to the floor after being bumped by referee Art Herrera.

“I got stepped on, bumped and couldn’t control my balance. I was surprised he didn’t help me out and did not say anything,” said Cone.

Raymundo’s misconduct obviously put a dent on Talk n Text’s sterling performance in the contest.

Dillinger and Fonacier stood out in making 18 points apiece with Jason Castro, Donnell Harvey, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo adding at least 10 each.   

“All our conversation in practice and before the game centered on coming out and playing good Talk n Text basketball for 48 minutes,” said Reyes.

The Texters fought the Llamados toe-to-toe in the first quarter before establishing control and starting to pull away in the second period.

Averaging only 3.7 points in the series’ first three games, Dillinger made 14 just in the first half in this contest on 2-of-4 three-pointers and 4-of-8 twinners.

Dillinger and De Ocampo tossed in seven apiece as Talk n Text mounted a searing second-quarter assault and sat on a 47-35 cushion at halftime.

The two teams fought through two deadlocks and five lead changes before the Texters took the opening quarter at 25-24.

NOTES: Though sitting out the playoffs due to an injury, Mark Caguioa salvaged the Best Player of the Conference plum, riding the strength of his sterling showing in the elimination round. Caguioa beat Gary David in a close race, preventing the Philippine Cup best player from virtually putting the wraps on the season’s MVP award. Caguioa accumulated 1,085 points as against David’s 900, Cyrus Baguio’s 556 points, Marcio Lassiter’s 470 and LA Tenorio’s 434. B-Meg’s Denzel Bowles ran away with the Best Import award.

The scores:

Talk n Text 100 – Dillinger 18, Fonacier 18, Castro 15, Harvey 14, Alapag 12, De Ocampo 10, Reyes 9, Carey 4, Raymundo 0, Gamalinda 0, Williams 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0, Peek 0.

B-Meg 85 – Bowles 17, Devance 17, Urbiztondo 15, Yap 14, Intal 8, Simon 5, Pingris 4, Reavis 4, Barroca 1, Acuna 0, Gaco 0, Burtscher 0, Villanueva 0, De Ocampo 0.

Quarterscores: 25-24, 47-35, 73-60, 100-85