Header Ads Widget

TNT a win away from Comm Cup title after Game 5 win versus ROS

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Talk 'n Text moved to within a win away from the PBA Commissioner's Cup championship with a 103-94 victory against Rain Or Shine in Game 5 of the finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.

The Tropang Texters held off a late Elasto Painters rally to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Talk 'n Text led by as much as 20 points, 76-56, in the third quarter and by 12, 97-85, with more than three minutes left in the game.

But Rain Or Shine pulled off a 9-2 run to cut the lead to five, 99-94, with 2:11 remaining.

The late rally by the Elasto Painters fell short as they went scoreless afterward. Kevin Alas and Ivan Johnson sealed the win with back-to-back field goals.

Johnson and Ranidel De Ocampo each scored 27 points for Talk 'n Text, which can clinch the series in Game 6 on Sunday at the same venue.

Wayne Chism led Rain Or Shine, which needs to win on Sunday to send the series to the decider on Wednesday, with 25 markers.

Box Scores:

Talk 'n Text 103--De Ocampo 27, Johnson 27, Castro 15, Fonacier 12, Carey 7, Alas 7, Aban 4, Washington 2, Rosser 2, Wiliams 0

Rain or Shine 94--Chism 25, Lee 19, Arana 10, Norwood 9, Teng 6, Jeri. Cruz 6, Belga 6, Jerv. Cruz 4, Almazan 4, Uyloan 0, Ibanez 0

Quarterscores: 27-29, 56-42, 78-64, 103-94