MANILA, Philippines - Jason Castro knocked in his shots when it counted the most and Talk n Text completed a big fightback from a huge deficit, entering the PBA Governors Cup semifinals with a nail-biting 93-91 win over Meralco last night at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Castro scored on a reversed lay-up off Sol Mercado to break a 91-all standoff then pumped in a 15-footer off the same defender to lift Talk n Text past Meralco and into the semifinals with a fifth win against two losses.
Meralco, slowing down after its import Tim Pickett got injured midway through the second quarter, reeled with a fourth loss in its last five games, dropping to sixth place in a tie with B-Meg at 3-4.
“We don’t have a business winning this game because Meralco outplayed and outhustled us and coach Ryan (Gregorio) outcoached me. We just got lucky that their import got injured,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
Earlier, Alaska Milk kept its spirits high and guns blazing as it drubbed Rain or Shine, 88-83, to move closer to the semis.
LA Tenorio bucked a listless start and made 18 of his 22 points in the second half, leading the Aces to a fourth win in their last five games.
Tenorio banged away clutch plays to personally weather Rain or Shine’s late charge enabling the Aces to draw level with the Elasto Painters at 4-3, a game behind the front-running Petron Blaze Boosters (5-2).
The Aces go for an outright semis entry in taking on the Barangay Ginebra Kings at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
“I’m really pleased with our effort. I felt that when you play a Yeng Guiao team you have to give the effort as much as they give it to you. We did play with so much effort as everyone came out to play,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
While Tenorio took care of the scoring and backcourt chores, Sonny Thoss and import Jason Forte made their presence felt on the defensive end.
Thoss contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists while Forte had game-highs of 18 rebounds and five blocks that went with 11 points.
“Sonny (Thoss) and Jason (Forte) did wonderful defensive jobs,” said Cone.