Texters keep hopes alive, blast Bolts

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text went through the motions of hurdling also-ran Meralco, 108-84, as the Tropang Texters kept their slim chance of making the PBA Governors Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Tropang Texters dominated the Bolts from start to finish and stayed in the hunt for a sixth straight finals appearance with a sixth win against five losses.

But coach Chot Reyes and his troops were far from being relieved, aware they need four more straight victories to make the title playoff.

“We have no choice, one miss we die. We play three tough teams in Petron, Ginebra and Rain or Shine. On top of that, even if we sweep out, we have to beat somebody in a playoff (to make the finals),” said Reyes.

“We’re not thinking far ahead. We’ve shortened our sights. We’re now focused on our next game versus Petron. That’s the only thing we can control at this point,” Reyes added.

The Texters moved on the brink of elimination after losing their last game in the elims against the Elasto Painters and their first game in the semis versus the Llamados.

“How I wish we’d won at least one. But that’s basketball. You can’t win all,” rued Reyes.

Last night’s game against Meralco proved to be a big morale boost for Talk n Text.

The Texters breezed through after opening a huge lead, 20-4, through the first seven minutes of the game.

Ranidel de Ocampo went 3-of-3 from the three-point area and topscored with 24 points while Japeth Aguilar came through with double-double numbers with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Texters’ relentless charge versus the Bolts.

Jimmy Alapag fired four triples and the Texters totaled nine treys on a remarkable 56.3-percent shooting against the Bolts who were held to 1-of-5 three-point shooting.

Curiously, Mark Cardona, Meralco’s take-charge guy, was used for only five minutes in the first half, and didn’t have a single field goal attempt.

Playing 16 minutes in the final half, Cardona led the Meralco locals with 13 points.

The Texters also did much better in controlling the boards, getting 53 rebounds as against the Bolts’ 33.

Kelly Williams accounted for three defensive caroms, becoming the 35th player in league history to have accumulated at least 2,000 career defensive rebounds.

The Texters didn’t leave anything to chance, taking the first quarter at 31-16, the half at 64-43 and the close of the third period at 89-63.

B-Meg made a giant turnaround from 19-point deficits in the first half and enhanced its finals bid while virtually dethroning reigning titlist Petron Blaze with a 104-93 win in the nightcap.

Marcus Blakely erupted for 15 of his 35 points in the last quarter and Jonas Villanueva scored all of his eight points in the same period as the Llamados pulled off the stirring come-from-behind victory and firmed up their hold of second spot with an 8-3 slate.

The Boosters dropped to 6-6, their chances for a playoff for the second finals slot hinge on a lot of factors beyond their control.

B-Meg beat Petron for the first time this season notwithstanding the ejection of coach Tim Cone late in the second period.

B-Meg made a giant turnaround from 19-point deficits in the first half and virtually dethroned reigning titlist Petron Blaze with a 104-93 win in the nightcap.

Marcus Blakely erupted for 15 of his 35 points in the last quarter and Jonas Villanueva scored all of his eight points in the same period as the Llamados pulled off the stirring come-from-behind win and firmed up their hold of second spot with an 8-3 slate.

The Boosters are now good as dead with a 6-6 card. They still have a mathematical chance to gain a playoff but it’s not entirely in their hand.

B-Meg beat Petron for the first time this season notwithstanding the ejection of coach Tim Cone late in the second period.

De Ocampo and Aguilar had a field day inside the paint, combining for 31 points in the first half.

The Texters shot almost at will in the first 24 minutes, hitting at a 63.4-percent clip.

NOTES: For Champ Oguchi, being cut as an import of Meralco proved to be a blessing in disguise. From the PBA, he hustled to Caracas, Valenzuela and helped the Nigerian national team book a spot for the London Olympics. Oguchi and his Nigeriaan teammates topped the John Calipari-mentored Dominican Republic team, 88-73, Sunday (Monday in Manila) to join Russia, Lithuania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Great Britain, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States in the London Games. At Meralco, Oguchi was bumped off by Mario West.

The scores:

First Game

Talk n Text 108 – De Ocampo 24, Aguilar 20, Alapag 12, Williams 11, Harris 10, Peek 8, Castro 7, Fonacier 5, Alvarez 5, Raymundo 4, Gamalinda 2, Aban 0, Lao 0.

Meralco 84 – West 21, Cardona 13, Daa 11, Mercado 9, Bulawan 8, Taulava 6, Hugnatan 5, Ballesteros 4, Reyes 4, Borboran 3, Ross 0, Timberlake 0, Artadi 0.

Quarterscores: 31-16, 64-43, 89-63, 108-84

Second game

B-Meg 104 – Blakely 35, Yap 20, Pingris 18, Simon 10, Villanueva 8, Reavis 4, De Ocampo 4, Urbiztondo 3, Barroca 2.

Petron 93 – Cabagnot 22, Washington 15, Santos 14, Ildefonso 14, Faison 12, Lutz 6, Hontiveros 5, Yeo 2, Miranda 2, Peña 1.

Quarterscores: 19-32, 44-57, 67-74, 104-93