Talk ‘N Text nears sweep with Game 3 win

MANILA--Jimmy Alapag fired eight points, including back-toback triples in the last four minutes as Talk ‘N Text blasted Rain or Shine, 89-80, on Sunday to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup finals series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alapag’s explosion ignited a fiery breakaway by the defending champion Texters that got them ahead, 84-78, from a 7676 tie with still 6:03 to go. It was their fourth straight win over Rain or Shine, counting their lone meeting in the elimi- nation round. They won Game 1 (87-81) and Game 2 (89-81).

Coach Norman Black’s wards displayed championship poise as they held their ground when the Elasto Painters took a 70-61 advantage in the last 10:57 of the game.

Rain or Shine was still on top, 74-71, before Ranidel de Ocampo tied the game for the last time.

They will try to sweep the long series on Wednesday, while Rain or Shine will try to keep its hope alive at the Big Dome.

“We will go for the champi- onship on Wednesday. We really struggled offensively today but we played good defense on the stretch. We were able to stop their post-ups. We put ourselves in a good position to get the championship. We will try to get the win on Wednesday. We went into the game knowing that Rain or Shine will throw everything at us today. Jimmy Alapag hit some crucial three-pointers in the end for us and that really was the difference in the game. Our three-point shooting bailed us out again,” said Black.