TNT one win away from title

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters moved within reach of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title after dismantling Rain or Shine, 103-94, in a steady Game Five showing on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

They dominated the second quarter and took leads of as high as 20 points before weathering some big shots from Rain or Shine in the endgame to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven title series.

Ranidel De Ocampo and Ivan Johnson each scored 27 points to lead the way for the Tropang Texters

Jayson Castro added 15 points and nine assists while Larry Fonacier added 12 points and seven boards in the contest.

Rain or Shine, behind some hot shooting from Paul Lee and Wayne Chism who combined for 15 early points, the Elasto Painters jumped out to a 20-11 start.

But it would not be long before Talk ‘N Text would turn it into a tight contest. Fonacier suddenly came alive while reserves Kevin Alas and Harvey Carey both did their share as the Tropang Texters chipped away and took the lead at 27-26.

Jeric Teng hit a three-pointer late in the first though as Rain or Shine ended the opening period ahead, 29-27.

Talk ‘N Text, though, took the game over completely in the second.

Fonacier and Castro both hit some three-pointers while Johnson hit on a drive to the basket as they went on a 15-3 run that gave them their first double-digit advantage of the game, 47-37.

Chism and Ryan Arana would try to stem the tide with five straight Rain or Shine points, but Talk ‘N Text closed out the period strong, scoring the last nine points of the quarter – six of them from Johnson.

The Tropang Texters took the quarter, 29-13, and carried a 14-point lead, 56-42, into the halftime break.

Game Four hero De Ocampo and import Johnson led the way for Talk ‘N Text with 12 points apiece while Fonacier added 10.

Chism was the only Elasto Painter in double figures with 10 at the half. Lee had nine.

The first part of the third quarter also went in Talk ‘N Text’s favor. With De Ocampo and Johnson connecting from the outside, the Tropang Texters fired off an 11-3 barrage, capped by a free throw from Fonacier off a Beau Belga technical. That gave them a whopping 20-point advantage, 67-47.

Rain or Shine then showed some signs of frustration as Chism, too, was called for a technical foul on the very next possession due to second motion on Carey.

Rain or Shine made some headway late in the third, though, cutting their deficit back to 14 points after an 8-2 flurry to close the quarter.

Lee led a late fourth quarter rally for Rain or Shine as they came back to within five points but clutch baskets from Alas and Johnson sealed the win in the end.— InterAKTV