Talk ‘N Text takes 3-2 series lead

B-Meg Derby Ace Llamado's James Yap finds himself closely guarded by Talk 'N Text's Aaron Aban. Yap scored 22 points but his team's bench could only come up with 11 as they fell 3-2 in their semis series.

Talk ‘N Text takes 3-2 series lead

by rick olivares with pic by Tunying P.

Just when it seemed that the game and perhaps the series was slipping away from Talk ‘N Text, the number seed of the PBA Philippine Cup found their verve in coming back from a deficit to turn back B-Meg Derby Ace 97-83 for a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semifinals series.

The Tropang Texters, under severe pressure from a Llamados team that is regaining its championship form with every player (save for Rafi Reavis) back in harness, got a huge lift from their bench as they outscored B-Meg’s reserves 68-11 as highlighted by Jason Castro’s 22 points.

“They spelled the difference,” succinctly said B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent. “Our starters played well but they didn’t get enough support.”

Difference indeed. After going down by 16 points 30-14 early in the game and Kelly Williams in foul trouble, Chot Reyes’ squad who are eyeing a fourth All-Filipino cup finals stint, slowly got back with their bench team.

Ali Peek contributed a double double with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Larry Fonacier continued his string of impressive games by adding 13 points. Center Ranidel de Ocampo also added 13 of his own while Ryan Reyes finished with 10; the lone starter in double digits.

On B-Meg’s side, Jonas Villanueva finally came alive in the series as he scored 15 points to back up James Yap’s 22, Peter June Simon’s 13, and Niño Canaleta’s 12, but that was it for the Llamados who found themselves staring at a three-point deficit 51-48 after 24 minutes of play.

“I’ve always said that B-Meg’s guards will cause us trouble. If we can offset them in another way – maybe the bench or our bigs then we have to more than match their effort. Meron pa sa amin hindi nagpapakita sa series na to but hopefully they will be there on Friday when we try to close it out.”

Reyes tweeted his dismay over his team’s play and defense after their Game Four loss. Said the Reyes after the match: “They responded today. We can only say that it’s pivotal depending on the next game’s outcome.”

Talk ‘N Text 97 - Castro 22, Peek 16, Fonacier 13, De Ocampo 13, Reyes 10, Carey 9, Alapag 8, Dillinger 2, Aban 2, Alvarez 2, Williams 0

B-Meg Derby Ace 83 - Yap J. 24, Villanueva 15, Simon 13, Canaleta 12, Pingris 8, Gaco 3, Timberlake 2, Maierhofer 2, Salvador 2, Yap R. 2, Allado 0