TnT survives Ginebra rally, keeps spotless record

MANILA, Philippines – Talk n Text remained unscathed after surviving a hard-fighting Brgy. Ginebra, 94-87, Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum for its league-best sixth straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Ranidel de Ocampo knocked in a season-high 28 points then Larry Fonacier fired a back-breaking triple that quashed whatever hopes for the Kings’ spirited chase in the endgame.

The Tropang Texters also got a lucky break when the referees erroneously awarded the ball to remain with them when it was clearly seen on TV replays that Ryan Reyes last touched it.

The controversial out of bounds play came with 2:25 left eliminating the benefit of a slo-mo review by the officials, which is only applicable inside the final two minutes.

The Kings, however, was still able to come within four, 85-89, on LA Tenorio’s coast-to-coast but his former Ateneo teammate Fonacier hit the dagger trey in the ensuing play for the buffer.  Tenorio turned the ball over in the next Ginebra possession hastening the Kings’ third loss in five games.

“Well I saw it and I think it should have been their (Kings) ball. But that was one call the entire game and we should go back in the game,” Black told reporters. “Those wrong calls are breaks of the game.”

But more than the lucky break, Black lauded his team for executing the game plan to the letter.

“I think my team played good defense today. We executed what we wanted to do, to take the ball out of the hands of LA (Tenorio) and (Mark) Caguioa. They almost beat us with their other guys but we were able to play defense in the endgame,” Black added.

Talk n Text import Richard Howell provided the muscle inside for the Texters, who shot 10-of-27 from the outside. The hardworking import chipped in 19 points, 23 rebounds and two shot blocks.

Leon Rodgers led the Kings with 32 points, including 22 in the second half where they rallied from several double-digit deficits. Mark Caguioa had his second straight double-double game finishing with 14 and 10 rebounds while Mac Baracael was the only other King in double figures with 13, all in the first half.