Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs Alaska
5:45 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Petron
Manila, Philippines – Defending three-time champion Talk ’N Text blew a huge 23-point lead late in the first half but persevered to eke out an 87-80 overtime win over Barako Bull in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Veteran forward Ranidel de Ocampo shattered an 83-83 count with a booming three-pointer that turned out to be the push TNT needed to finally take the fight out of Barako.
The Texters then went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the waning moments of the extra period to preserve the win.
Prior to the four pressure-packed free throws, Barako Bull squandered two chances to tie the game after De Ocampo’s triple.
First was when former two-time MVP Willie Miller was fouled while attempting a three-pointer.
But to the dismay of their supporters, he missed all his attempts although Miller was able to collar the rebound after missing his third foul shot and found an open JC Intal at the right corner.
Intal also launched a three-point shot, but he also missed his target.
TNT’s Noy Baclao then grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Dorian Pena.
Baclao converted his free throws to make it 85-80 with 36.9 seconds to go. Miller missed another 3-point shot, leading Jayson Castro to the free throw area after he was fouled.
He calmly made his free throws to seal the deal.
It was Talk ’N Text’s sixth victory in eight matches to firm up its hold of third place behind the unbeaten Petron Blaze (7-0) and just half-game back from second placer Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (6-1).
TNT’s victory, however, failed to please coach Norman Black.
“I’m not sure if we found a solution to their (Barako Bull) zone. But we won the game and that is the most important thing,” said Black, whose team led by as many as 23 points, 37-14, late in the second quarter and his team was still up 57-44 entering the final frame.
The 19-point production of Barako Bull equals the 9th all-time lowest output in a half in PBA history, although it was a franchise low for this former Air21 team. Its previous franchise low is 25 when FedEx lost to Sta. Lucia Realty (77-71) on Sept. 24, 2003. (Waylon Galvez)
In the main setto, James Yap’s three-pointer plus the two charities of Mark Andy Barroca helped San Mig Coffee come out with an 83-80 victory over Globalport Batang Pier.
The scores:
First game:
TALK N’ TEXT 87 – Castro 23, De Ocampo 17, Fonacier 13, Williams 10, Seigle 9, Carey 6, Baclao 4, Aban 3, Anthony 2, Celiz 0, Reyes 0, Poligrates 0.
BARAKO 80 – Miller 16, Intal 14, Pennisi 11, Jensen 10, Miranda 10, Pena 7, Buenafe 5, Maierhofer 3, Lastimosa 2, Isip 2, Wilson 0, Marcelo 0, Labagala 0.
Quarters: 18-7, 39-19, 57-44, 71-71, 87-80
Second game:
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 83 – Barroca 18, Sangalang 15, Yap 15, Simon 14, Devance 13, Pingris 4, Mallari 2, Reavis 2, Cawaling 0, Holstein 0.
GLOBALPORT 80 – Mercado 18, Washington 15, Chua 11, Nabong 8, Hayes 8, Garcia 8, Menk 6, Yee 2, Salva 2, Romeo 2, Villanueva 0, Lingganay 0, Salvador 0.
Quarters: 18-19, 41-37, 64-58, 83-80