Meralco Bolts vs Talk N Text Tropang Texters

MANILA, Philippines – Talk n Text hurdled also-ran Meralco, 108-84, in a yawner of a game as the Tropang Texters kept their slim chance of making the PBA Governors Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Tropang Texters pounded the token resistance by the Bolts and stayed in the hunt for a sixth straight finals appearance with a sixth win against five losses.

Coach Chot Reyes and his troops hardly felt relief, though, as they’re well aware they need four more straight victories to make the title playoff.

“We have no choice, one miss we die. We play three tough teams in Petron, Ginebra and Rain or Shine. On top of that, even if we sweep out, we have to beat somebody in a playoff (to make the finals),” said Reyes.

“We’re not thinking far ahead. We’ve shortened our sights. We’re now focused on our next game versus Petron. That’s the only thing we can control at this point,” Reyes added.

The Texters moved on the brink of elimination after losing their last game in the elims against the Elasto Painters and their first game in the semis versus the Llamados.

“How I wish we’d won at least one. But that’s basketball. You can’t win all,” rued Reyes.

Tonight’s game against Meralco proved to be calm before the storm for Talk n Text.

The Texters breezed through after opening a huge lead, 20-4, through the first seven minutes of the game.

Ranidel de Ocampo went 3-of-3 from the three-point area and top scored with 24 points while Japeth Aguilar came through with double-double numbers with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Texters’ relentless charge versus the Bolts.

Jimmy Alapag fired four triples and the Texters totaled nine treys on a remarkable 56.3-percent shooting against the Bolts who were held to 1-of-5 three-point shooting.

Curiously, Mark Cardona, Meralco’s take-charge guy, was used for only five minutes in the first half, and didn’t have a single field goal attempt.

Playing 16 minutes in the final half, Cardona led the Meralco locals with 13 points.

The Texters also did much better in tending the boards, getting 53 rebounds as against the Bolts’ 33.

Kelly Williams accounted for three defensive caroms, becoming the 35th player in league history to have accumulated at least 2,000 career defensive rebounds.

The Texters didn’t leave anything to chance, taking the first quarter at 31-16, the half at 64-43 and the close of the third period at 89-63.

De Ocampo and Aguilar had a field day inside the paint, combining for 31 points in the first half.

The Texters shot almost at will in the first 24 minutes, hitting at a 63.4-percent clip.