Missing Persons lead TNT to Game 5 blowout
by rick olivares pic by nonoy lacza
February 2, 2011
Araneta Coliseum
There’s no need for Chot Reyes to follow up on that missing persons report. His Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters showed up in the face of a searing challenge by mighty San Miguel Beer to fashion out a demonstrative 99-77 win in Game 5 of the PBA Season 36 Philippine Cup Finals last Wednesday.
Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo led the onslaught as TNT overcame an early 23-14 first quarter deficit to take the half and the rest of the game.
“We were ready to play 96 minutes of great basketball,” said Reyes in reference to Game 5 and 6 where Talk ‘N Text hopes to close out its more experienced and resilient foe in this best-of-seven-game series.
De Ocampo conjured up images of his dominant self with his 20-point and 7-rebound effort as he made up for the continued struggles of Harvey Carey in the title series. But it was Ryan Reyes’ defense and Larry Fonacier’s timely three-point explosion that turned the nail-biter into a rout.
With the score at 84-68, Fonacier swished two consecutive triples ignited a 15-2 bomb that took the fight out of San Miguel.
“I just felt confident shooting them,” said Fonacier of his daggers. “They were in the flow of the game and as soon as I released them it felt good.”
Jason Castro compiled 17 points and eight assists while Alapag was equally brilliant in his playmaking en route to 16 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
TNT out-assisted SMB 28-17 and had far fewer turnovers as thy only had eight all match long while the Beermen coughed it up 19 times. “They got 18 turnover points,” said SMB coach Ato Agustin who remained optimistic of his wards’ chances of forging a Game 7. “All is not lost. We have shown in this series na kaya naming mag-comeback. If we cannot get the job done then Talk ‘N Text will win this. Hindi namin na-match yung energy and intensity nila all game long.”
Arwind Santos and Jay Washington paced their club with 18 points each but they only had minimal help as it was only Dondon Hontiveros who was in double figures with 14 points.
Team captain Olsen Racela, who is retiring after the end of the championship series, was taken out of the game by TNT after the veteran guard played a crucial role for San Miguel in their Game 3 and 4 wins. Racela finished with no points, two rebounds, and one turnover.
“He was inspirational for them in their wins,” said Alapag. “We were fortunate to stop Olsen because he doesn’t need to score a bunch of points anymore to help his team out. He does so much for them. Our defense on him was just as instrumental.”
Talk ‘N Text 99 - De Ocampo 20, Castro 17, Alapag 16, Reyes 10, Dillinger 9, Fonacier 9, Peek 9, Williams 6, Carey 3, Yee 0, Aban 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0
San Miguel 77 - Santos 18, Washington 18, Hontiveros 14, Ildefonso 7, Miranda 5, Pena 4, Yeo 3, Salvacion 3,Cabagnot 2, Pennisi 2, Artadi 1, Racela 0
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