De Ocampo, Castro power Tropang Texters to 2-to-nil

Game tomorrow

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

6 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines - Ranidel de Ocampo and Jayson Castro sustained their impressive forms as Talk N Text repeated over Rain or Shine, 89-81, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals last night at the MOA Arena in Pasay.

De Ocampo put in a personal conference high of 24 points that went with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals while Castro logged 21 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block as the Texters came through with another after their 87-81 win in the series opener Wednesday.

Among the contenders for the Best Player of the Conference award, De Ocampo scored all but three of their last nine points to personally quell the E-Painters’ final stand at the finish.

Thus, the Texters made it 2-0, and coach Norman Black later expressed confidence they won’t tire down in a running duel with the E-Painters in the series.

“I still expect them to come up with a lot of energy and push the pace. I’m sure they’re going to continue to do that. The question is will we run out of gas? I don’t think we will,” said Black.

Game Two was a virtual repeat of Game One where the Tropang Texters came out strong to dominate the first half and showed mental toughness to fend off the E-Painters’ fightback in the second half.

Down by one, 75-76, with 5:15 left to play, the Texters unleashed a 14-5 finishing run to make it two in a row and put more pressure on the E-Painters.

For the record, 33 of 39 teams that were able to enjoy a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series went on to win it. The last team to blow a 2-0 lead was Alaska versus Talk n Text in the 2008-09 Philippine Cup.

“We are up 2-0, but as far as I’m concerned we’re long ways to go. We’re still concentrate and focus on the job at hand,” said Black.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, meanwhile, felt 0-2 deficit “is still manageable.”

“We just couldn’t make the big plays and it’s really the experience of Talk n Text that’s making the big difference right now. But we’re not losing any hope though we know we need to get back Sunday and win it to get back in the series. If not, it’s almost lights out for us,” said Guiao.

De Ocampo punished the E-Painters with baskets from inside and out as the 6-foot-6 forward improved his previous tournament high of 20.

“He’s our best post-up player, best three-point shooter, best big man. He’s been that the whole year. Tonight, he made the big shots down the stretch. They went small and we’re able to post up Ranidel,” said Black.

Castro and De Ocampo combined for 23 points as the Texters led by as many as 11, 42-31, before sitting on a 44-35 cushion at the half.

The Texters took another 11-point spread at 53-42 before the E-Painters made a key run to surge ahead, 61-57, in the third period.

Kelly Williams beat the buzzer with a triple from the right flank as TnT tied the count at 63-all at the end of the quarter.

Jimmy Alapag issued two assists in the first half as he improved to No. 10 in the league’s all-time assists ladder with 2,854, moving past Bernie Fabiosa. Top Three are Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez and Dindo Pumaren.