It's Jong Uichico versus the team he steered to six championships last decade in the PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals as Talk 'n Text banked on a late fourth quarter explosion to eliminate Ginebra, 83-67, in their one-game quarterfinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
After engaging in a close encounter for most of the game, the Tropang Texters pulled away in the last 5:16 of the match with a pivotal 12-1 run to set up their Final Four encounter with the San Miguel Beermen, where the first few highlights of Uichico's coaching career happened.
Uichico coached the Beermen from 1999 to 2005, giving them six championships.
He, however, had to take down the Gin Kings, which he steered to two championships right after his SMB stint.
The victory also avenged Talk 'n Text's blowout loss to Ginebra in their opening clash in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Jayson Castro led the Tropang Texters with 23 points, while Ranidel De Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag, who did not play in the first meeting, added 17 and five respectively.
Box Scores:
Talk 'n Text 83-Castro 23, De Ocampo 17, Rosser 13, Alas 8, Carey 7, Reyes R.J. 6, Aban 4, Fonacier 3, Washington 2, Alapag 0, Reyes R. 0, Williams 0, Espiritu 0, Seigle 0
Ginebra 67-Tenorio 15, Yeo 10, Aguilar 9, Slaughter 8, Caguioa 8, Mamaril 6, Monfort 3, Reyes 3, Baracael 3, Ellis 2, Forrester 0, Urbiztondo 0, Helterbrand 0, Brondial 0
Quarterscores: 25-22, 40-40, 65-58, 83-67
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