MANILA — Ranidel de Ocampo scored 33 points to lead Talk ‘N Text get back in Game Four to tie the series via a 99-92 victory against Rain or Shine on Wednesday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
The best-of-seven title series is now tied at 2-2 with both teams battle it out for a commanding 3-2 lead on Thursday.
The Elasto Painters moved within a point, 41-42, at the halftime, but De Ocampo fired 13 of his game-high 33 points in that pivotal period for a 74-66 lead going into the final canto.
”We tied the series. We live to fight another day we go back to work tomorrow,” Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico said.
Rain or Shine’s reinforcement Wayne Chism went early into the foul trouble, finishing with only 13 points.
Chism was earlier named Best Import of the conference while Talk ‘N Text stalwart Jayson Castro bagged the Best of the Player Conference award.
Before Game Four of the Talk ‘N Text-Rain or Shine finale, Castro hoisted his third BPC ware, winning it over Paul Lee, Junemar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter and Terrence Romeo.
Castro amassed 1164 points as against Lee’s 782, Fajardo’s 542, Romeo’s 408 and Slaughter’s 404.
Chism, meanwhile, beat Ivan Johnson, Denzel Bowles and Josh Davis for the Best Import award.
Chism is only the third Rain or Shine reinforcement to win Best Import honors after Arizona Reid in the 2011 and 2014 Governors Cups and Jamelle Cornley in the 2012 Governors Cup.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 99 – De Ocampo 33, Castro 25, Johnson 19, Fonacier 10, Washington 4, Alas 4, Williams 2, Rosser 2, Carey 0, Aban 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 92 – Tiu 21, Lee 17, Chism 13, Almazan 13, Arana 8, Ibanes 6, Cruz Jervy 4, Uyloan 3, Norwood 3, Belga 2, Quinahan 2, Cruz Jericho 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 42-41, 74-66, 99-92.