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MANILA, April 16 (PNA) –- Talk ‘N Text nearly controlled game from start to finish to hack out a 99-92 victory against well-rested Rain or Shine on Wednesday night in Game One of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
From 16-all, the Tropang Texters took the upperhand 29-21 behind Ranidel de Ocampo’s hot shooting hands enroute to a victory in the opener of the best-of-seven championship series.
Despite the win, coach Jong Uichico remains not impressed the way his wards showed up against the Elasto Painters who swept Meralco in the finals.
”We gave up too many points. We’re happy we won (but) we’re not satisfied with the way we played. Though we won, we didn’t show the level of emotion we did in the Purefoods game,” Uichico said, referring to their 3-1 victory against the Hotshots in the other semifinals affair.
De Ocampo topscored with 24 points while import Ivan Johnson added 23 markers and 12 rebounds and Jayson Castro shared 14 points.
Import Wayne Chism spearheaded the Rain or Shine with game-high 34 points while Paul Lee was the only local in double-digit output with 13 points.
Game Two will be held on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 99 – De Ocampo 24, Johnson 23, Castro 14, Rosser 10, Fonacier 8, Williams 8, Washington 5, Alas 5, Carey 2, Aban 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 92 – Chism 34, Lee 13, Almazan 9, Chan 8, Tang 6, Norwood 5, Tiu 5, Ibanes 4, Arana 3, Belga 2, Quinahan 2, Cruz Jervy 1, Uyloan 0, Cruz Jericho 0.
Quarters:28-23, 49-41, 76-70, 99-92.