Texters move two wins away from history as Painters fade anew

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk n Text Tropang Texters are within two wins away from completing a rare third straight PBA Philippine Cup title after grinding out an 89-81 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for a 2-0 lead in the finals at the Mall of Asia Arena tonight.

Ranidel de Ocampo pumped in six of his 24 points in the final 3:27 of the game to lead the Tropang Texters to the victory.

After Rain or Shine grabbed the lead for only the second time in the series, 76-75, on Paul Lee's free throws, Talk n Text went on a 9-0 blast to run away with a commanding 2-0 lead.

Jayson Castro chipped in 21 points while Kelly Williams added 12 for the Tropang Texters, who showed their championship poise at crunch time for the straight game.

Williams completed an and-1 play to jumpstart Talk n Text’s strong finish while De Ocampo's back-to-back hits gave them an eight-point cushion, 84-76, heading into the final 2:57.

The Elasto Painters refused to surrender as Paul Lee's five-point binge drew them to within six, 87-81. But De Ocampo again came away with a jumper to seal the deal as Rain or Shine shot itself on the foot with crucial turnovers and hurried shots from the outside.

The Painters climbed out from a double-digit deficit to take a 61-57 lead in the third canto before De Ocampo hit a buzzer-beating trey to tie the game at 63-all, setting up a frenetic tug-of-war in the fourth.

Game Three will be played at 6pm on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.