Talk and Text ties PBA Gov Finals 3-3

Source : InterAKTV
Talk ‘N Text won’t give up its Grand Slam bid just like that.
With their backs against the wall, the Tropang Texters played oozed with energy and intensity on both ends of the court to silence Petron Blaze, 104-78, in game 6 of the 2011 PBA Governors’ Cup finals Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The win knotted the series at three games apiece and forced a deciding game 7 on Sunday at the Big Dome.

Castro, playing through an MCL injury, sparked a first quarter surge that allowed to Talk ‘N Text to seize control of the game while Baker, recalled by the management to replace the ineffective Scottie Reynolds, exploded in the third that signaled their break away.

“We just tied the series. Our goal is to play 96 minutes of good basketball and we just achieved the first part. We must find a way to just gut one more win on Sunday,” said Tropang Texters coach Chot Reyes. “My players are barely walking.”

Castro, who sat out in game 5, hit his first six shots in the first period en route to a 13-point explosion in that stage as Talk ‘N Text quickly recovered from a 4-10 deficit and carried a 31-23 lead after the first canto.

Baker, who had stayed in town as a practice player with Talk ‘N Text, came up big defensively early in the game before sizzling with 14 points in the third period that allowed the Tropang Texters to pull away.

Ranidel de Ocampo led all scorers with 21 points while Castro and Baker added 19 and 18 markers as Talk ‘N Text held the Boosters to their lowest output in the series.

“Icing na lang ‘yung points ni Mo Baker, all we wanted on him is to defend Grundy,” said Reyes. “For sure they’ll figure out something for Grundy and it is incumbent for us to be ready.”

Grundy was held to a conference-low five points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field. He was scoreless in the first half.

But Petron getting outworked by the Tropang Texters the whole game was the big story.

“Outhustled kami especially on rebounds (38-56),” said Petron mentor Ato Agustin. “At least nakatabla lang sila. May chance pa kami maka-tsamba ulit.”

Arwind Santos led the Boosters with 19 points and 14 rebounds while Danny Ildefonso added 14. Dennis Miranda and Rey Guevarra contributed 12 and 11 respectively.

The scores:

TALK N’ TEXT 104 – De Ocampo 21, Castro 19, Baker 18, Alapag 16, Carey 8, Williams 7 , Peek 6, Dillinger 3, Reyes 3, Fonacier 3, Aban 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0.

PETRON 78 – Santos 19, Ildefonso 14, Miranda 12, Guevarra 11, Grundy 5, Cabagnot 5, Salvacion 5, Pennisi 5, Baclao 1, Hubalde 1, Duncil 0.

Quarters: 31-23, 55-43, 78-58, 104-78