Texters subdue Guiao-less E-Painters
Talk ‘N Text remains a perplexing puzzle to solve for Rain or Shine.
With Larry Fonacier exploding just in time, the Tropang Texters reasserted their mastery against the erstwhile streaking Elasto Painters, 86-76, Wednesday night to gain a share of the fourth spot in the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fresh from a hard-earned 101-98 victory over Barako Bull in an out-of-town game at Legazpi, Albay last Saturday, Talk ‘N Text had its offense going in Fonacier, who tallied eight of his 17 points in the fourth canto, while holding Rain or Shine to just a lone field-goal in the last six minutes.
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Not only did the victory enable them to gain a share of fourth spot with a 4-3 record alongside sister team Meralco, the Tropang Texters also extended their dominance against the E-Painters to six games this season, including their masterful 4-0 sweep in the Philippine Cup finals early this year.
Playing without head coach Yeng Guiao who reportedly attended to more pressing matters in the US, Rain or Shine failed to get its usual offensive groove going, notably in the crunch where a meaningless Ryan Araña triple was all they could muster.
The loss sent the E-Painters down to second spot with a 5-2 mark, tying idle Petron Blaze in the process.
“At least in this game we played much better defense,” stated Talk ‘N Text mentor Norman Black, whose wards held the E-Painters to just 29-of-83 (34.9 percent) shooting from the field, allowing just seven of 35 attempts from beyond the arc.
Returning import Donnell Harvey, seeing action for the second time since replacing Keith Benson, tallied 23 points while Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag contributed at least 10 each for Talk ‘N Text.
Towering 7-foot-3 import Bruno Sundov emerged as the lone bright spot for the E-Painters with a game-high 25 markers, 14 coming in the first half, but none of his local teammates breached the 10-point mark.
After a quite dreary 36 minutes of play, action started to pick up in the final canto and Fonacier clearly typified it the most.
The former Rookie of the Year awardee ignited the Texters’ blinding 14-4 charge with a triple, turning a slim 65-66 deficit into a nine-point cushion with 3:40 to go.
While Rain or Shine continued to throw bricks, Talk ‘N Text methodically ran its offensive plays, highlighted by the 6-foot-8 Harvey’s surprising triple that made it a commanding 86-73 lead, virtually sealing the deal with 47.7 seconds left.
“We were reminded by Coach Norman that we have to start another streak and move on from our inconsistencies the past few games. Hopefully, this will be a start of something good,” stated Fonacier, who became only the 23rd player in league history with at least 500 three-point field-goals made.
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Earlier, Ronjay Buenafe provided the needed spark in the fourth canto as streaking Meralco turned back struggling Barako Bull 112-104.
Virtually a non-factor in the first 36 minutes, the 6-foot-2 Buenafe stood tallest in the payoff period, firing away all of his 19 points, highlighted by three triples, while helping the Bolts turn a tight battle into a romp.
“It’s good to see players waking up after a long sleep. Our team you just don’t know who’s gonna light up. Tonight, Ronjay answered the call and shown brightest offensively for us,” beamed Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.
Import Eric Dawson had another dominant 20-20 outing of 27 points and 20 rebounds while do-it-all playmaker Chris Ross went two rebounds shy of a triple double with 17 points, 11 assists, and eight boards.
Still, it was Buenafe’s timely explosion that enabled Meralco to gain its third straight win and fourth overall against three setbacks.
After a Josh Urbiztondo bucket put the Energy Cola up, 83-82, early in the final frame, the Bolts finally gained the needed surge–thanks mainly to the former Emilio Aguinaldo College gunner–with a decisive 19-8 charge for a comfortable 101-91 cushion with less than two minutes to go.
“‘Yun ang trabaho ko talaga, ‘pag open ako ititira ko. Maganda rin kasi ang rotation ng bola kaya nakakahanap kami ng open spots,” stated Buenafe.“Depensa lang ang focus namin. Kasi kahit sino naman pwede pumutok. Kaya ginawa na lang namin dumepensa ng dumepensa (in the fourth quarter).”
But Gregorio could not help but underscore his wards’ 34-point explosion in the fourth, saying: “Great relief for us to have our guns blazing in the fourth quarter.”
Import Evan Brock enjoyed a remarkable outing with 35 points and 25 rebounds but ran out of gas in the stretch, causing Barako Bull to suffer its fourth straight defeat and fifth overall in eight starts.
First Game
MERALCO (112) – Dawson 27, Buenafe 19, Ross 17, Hugnatan 13, Cardona 12, Reyes 9, Salvacion 9, Hodge 4, Artadi 2, Manuel 0, Guevarra 0.
BARAKO (104) – Brock 37, Villanueva 16, Macapagal 16, Pennisi 14, Seigle 11, Urbiztondo 4, Maliksi 3, Anthony 3, Weinstein 0, Intal 0.
Quarterscores: 32-19, 48-51, 78-77, 112-104
Second Game
TALK 'N TEXT (86) – Harvey 23, Fonacier 17, Castro 11, De Ocampo 11, Alapag 10, Williams 6, Al-Hussaini 3, Carey 3, Dillinger 2, Reyes 0, Aban 0.
RAIN OR SHINE (76) – Sundov 25, Lee 8, Ibanes 8, Tang 7, Belga 7, Norwood 5, Arana 5, Quinahan 5, Rodriguez 4, Matias 2, Tiu 0, Cruz 0, Jaime 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 43-34, 60-56, 86-76
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