By Dugout Philippines
Talk 'n Text needed overtime to get past Purefoods, 100-96, in the nightcap of the PBA Philippine Cup doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Tropang Texters got a chance to steal the win from the Hotshots, who controlled most of the fourth quarter, when Larry Fonacier converted a layup with no time left to force the extra time.
Jayson Castro and James Yap, who were recently inducted to the PBA's greatest players list, traded baskets to start the overtime session.
Castro scored anew to give Talk 'n Text the lead only to be canceled by P.J. Simon on the other end.
Harvey Carey then played solid basketball on both ends of the floor as he scored two consecutive layups and blocked Joe Devance's shot later.
Devance made up for that by dishing an assist to Mark Barroca for a basket to cut the Tropang Texters' lead to two anew, 96-94.
Ranidel De Ocampo, however, scored again to stretch the gap back to four.
Devance then scored on a jumper to cut the TNT lead back to two, 98-96.
Purefoods had a chance to tie the game again after TNT failed to score in the next play.
But Barroca and Yap misfired on their tries as De Ocampo sealed the win with two free throws on the other end.
De Ocampo scored 18 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished three assists for the Tropang Texters.
Devance had a game-high 22 markers for the Hotshots, who have dropped their second straight game.
Box Scores:
Talk N Text 100--Washington 18, De Ocampo 18, Reyes 14, Castro 13, Carey 9, Alas 8, Rob Reyes 8, Alapag 5, Fonacier 4, Rosser 3, Aban 0.
Purefoods 96--Devance 22, Pingris 21, Yap 18, Simon 15, Barroca 11, Mallari 5, Taha 2, Maliksi 2, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 22-22; 39-42; 67-64; 88-88; 100-96