PBA: Late Talk 'N Text run gives Tropang Texters the win over Meralco Bolts in Gov. Cup debut

(Updated 8:04pm) Jayson Castro scored 10 of the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters' last 13 points to overcome sister team the Meralco Bolts, 105-99, in the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup, Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Texters shook off the disappointment from finishing as runners-up in the Commissioner’s Cup to start this conference with a win. The Bolts on the other hand have already lost their second game in as many outings.

Castro finished the game with 21 points and six assists. Othyus Jeffers posted a game-high 38 points and 13 rebounds, while Ranidel De Ocampo added 22 points and six boards.

"It was a good way to start the third conference. I told the players that the best way to get back in a groove today was to put the the [Commissioner's Cup] finals behind us," said Coach Norman Black. "Our import has only had three practices with us because of the Finals, so we're hoping to have him in better shape and get him blended with the team."

The Bolts' outside shooting early in the game gave them a 10-point lead, 16-6, but they were shut out of the rest of the quarter. Talk 'N Text, who got 16 points in the period from reigning NBA-DL MVP Othyus Jeffers, began forcing turnovers and getting uncontested looks, to ring up a 20-1 run. Mark Bringas' put-back at the buzzer was Meralco's only basket in the last seven minutes while the Texters led 26-19.

The offense came for Meralco in the second, courtesy of Gary David, but defensively they couldn't put the clamps on Jeffers. The import spread his points from all over the floor and kept the Bolts from coming closer than six points. Talk 'N Text led comfortably before Meralco nailed another buzzer-beater, this time a Cliff Hodge trey, before heading into halftime with a 50-42 lead.

Ranidel De Ocampo was on fire in the third, scoring 12 points to stretch the lead to 14, 66-52. But Meralco came charging back, as the front court of Cliff Hodge, Reynel Hugnatan and Terrence Williams took turns punishing the Texters around the basket. The trio combined for 17 points during a 20-9 swing, to make it a one-possession game by the end of the third, 75-72.


After the lead swung after almost every possession in the third, Hodge scored seven straight to make it a two-possession game in the Bolts' favor, 97-92, with 2:23 to play in the game. But a minute later, Jayson Castro converted an and-one, then fed De Ocampo in the post to even the tally. Meralco called timeout to stem the tide but couldn't convert on their next possession. Instead, they surrendered a triple to Castro with 44.3 seconds left, 100-97.

Jared Dillinger drained a jumper, salvaging a broken play by the Bolts. The Texters called timeout, and Castro milked the clock before drawing a foul on the drive. Castro made both, returning the ball to Meralco with 13.6 seconds left. The Bolts advanced the ball, but due to Talk 'N Text's aggressive ball pressure, Sunday Salvacion heaved a long three with eight seconds left that missed. The Texters secured the carom, Castro took the intentional foul, and polished off two more charities to pad the score.

To add insult to injury, coach Ryan Gregorio mistakenly called a timeout with 1.7 seconds left when his team had none, and the officials allowed Larry Fonacier to take a technical free throw to finalize the win.

The Texters shot 37-of-90 (41.1 percent) from the field, while Meralco went 39-of-90 (43.3 percent). Talk 'N Text made 23-of-27 (85.2 percent) from the charity stripe and limited Meralco to 9-of-14 (64.3).

Talk 'N Text led 22-6 in turnover points.

Cliff Hodge matched his PBA career-high of 24 points and added 11 rebounds and four blocks. Terrence Williams put up 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Gary David notched 15 points. Reynel Hugnatan and Jared Dillinger had 12 points apiece and combined for 11 rebounds. - AMD, GMA News



The scores:

TALK ’N TEXT 105 - Jeffers 38, De Ocampo 22, Castro 21, Carey 7, Fonacier 6, Williams 4, Alapag 3, Seigle 2, Canaleta 2, Reyes Ryan 0, Reyes Rob 0, Baclao 0

MERALCO 99 - Hodge 24, Williams 20, David 15, Hugnatan 12, Dillinger 12, Salvacion 6, Ildefonso 4, Bringas 2, Sena 2, Wilson 2, Timberlake 0

Quarter scoring: 26-19, 50-43, 75-72, 105-99