MANILA – Talk ‘N Text made it two in a row against San Mig Coffee after surviving an 84-81 overtime win on Wednesday night to force do-or-die Game 5 for PBA Governor’s Cup finals slot at the Araneta Coliseum.
Ranidel de Ocampo hit a triple as the Tropang Texters opened the extra five minutes with 7-2 run and put up good defensive job to spoil the Coffee Mixers’ bid to wrap up the semifinal series.
”We did what we have to do which is to fight another day. My guys gutted it our today. We cut down on their inside game. It’s all about who has more left in the tank on Friday,” TNT coach Norman Black said.
James Yap sent the game into overtime with one hand shot at the buzzer but Aron Aban held Yap scoreless in overtime and the Tropang Texters tied the series at 2-2.
Import Paul Harris topscored with 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Jason Castro and Larry Fonacier added 11 points apiece for Tropang Texters.
The three-peat seeking Coffee Mixers surged to 2-0 lead in the series but the Tropang Texters bounced back with huge 112-86 win in Game Three last Monday.
The winner of the series will advance in the finals against the winner of other semifinals affair between Alaska and Rain or Shine. Alaska lead series, 2-1.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 84 – Harris 22, Castro 11, Fonacier 11, De Ocampo 9, Seigle 7, Alapag 6, Williams 5, Espiritu 5, Reyes Rob 3, Aban 3, Reyes Ryan 2, Reyes Jai 0, Baclao 0, Carey 0, Canaleta 0.
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 81 – Yap 23, Blakely 12, Pingris 12, Simon 12, Barroca 11, Devance 9, Maliksi 2, Sangalang 0, Mallari 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19, 33-37, 55-56, 74-74, 84-81