Texters recharged, tie series vs Beermen

MANILA, Philippines -  Talk N Text spoiled what could’ve been San Miguel Beer’s memorable night by seizing the initiative late in the match for a 102-97 victory that leveled the best-of-seven series for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown at two games apiece at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

On the night the Beermen claimed two major awards – the hotly contested Best Player of the Conference title by Chris Ross over teammate Alex Cabagnot and Charles Rhodes earning the Best Import plum – the Texters ruined the occasion with a stirring stand late in the fourth period to stop the reigning Phl Cup champions and reduce the series to a best-of-three affair.

They dispute the pivotal 3-2 lead in Game Five tomorrow at 7 p.m., also at the Big Dome.

Jayson Castro and the other key TNT KaTropa locals redeemed themselves from their poor showing the last time out with five of them churning out double-digit scores. Castro had 17 points, RR Pogoy bounced back from a pair of scoreless outings with 14 markers, Troy Rosario and Ranidel de Ocampo made 13 points each and RR Garcia finished with 10 markers.

“There’s a turnaround. Jayson came out aggressive and hit his shots. Pogoy finally hit his three-pointers again. And it’s a collective thing. The other guys had their contribution,” said TNT coach Nash Racela. 

“A rallying point was Josh who’s playing hurt and secondly his girlfriend is about to give birth. He can easily choose to go home but he decided to stay. We want to honor Josh and his girlfriend,” Racela also said.

The Texters did rally behind Smith, fighting hard all throughout to avoid falling in a deep 1-3 hole.

Castro, who committed no less than 10 errors in Game Three, came off the bench in this game and delivered the big baskets in their fightback from 81-86 down in the last seven minutes of the contest.

Pogoy, Rosario and De Ocampo also delivered significant numbers with the two TNT youngsters providing the firepower in the first half while De Ocampo helped Castro anchor their closing flurry.

Smith himself snapped out of a slump, re-asserting himself at the paint to collect 20 points and 15 rebounds.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria rued the early fouls committed by Charles Rhodes and June Mar Fajardo.

“It impacted on our game. With June Mar and Rhodes in foul trouble, Smith dominated the shaded area. We’re able to limit him in the last two games. He scored almost at will this time,” said Austria.

The Texters yielded the individual awards to the Beermen, but not the game that they yearned to win.

“After they got their awards, I huddled the team. I told the guys let them get the individual awards, but let’s get the team award,” said Racela.

Playing with a patch on their uniform bearing the name Kristy – Josh’s girlfriend, the Texters played with grit and spunk, seizing a double-digit spread in the second quarter before losing momentum on a crucial inadvertent whistle by referee Jimmy Mariano.

Smith and RR Garcia took over as the Texters surged to a nine-point lead at 41-32 before settling for a 49-47 halftime margin.

From their nine-point deficit, the Beermen unleashed a 10-to-nothing run capped by a breakaway slam by Arwind Santos when everybody else stopped playing on an Mariano’s unintentional whistle.

The TNT bench raised a howl of protest but the refs let Santos get away with the basket that pushed SMB ahead at 42-41.

The Beermen sustained their charge through the next period and led by three at 76-73 going into the final canto.

But the Texters simply refused to lose, grabbing the win on a 21-11 closing run.