Talk ‘N Text rips Meralco to keep playoff bid alive

PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio

With his team battling for survival, Chot Reyes and his Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters came out with a sense of urgency against the Meralco Bolts.

Ranidel de Ocampo bounced back from a miserable showing Saturday against B-MEG, making all his three-pointers and finishing with 24 points to typify the Tropang Texters’ steady shooting and win handily over the Bolts, 108-84, Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

In winning their first semis game, the Tropang Texters improved their card to 6-5, but the team still cannot afford to lose any more games in their tough upcoming schedule – against Petron, Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra.

“We have no choice but to win our remaining games. We’re in a situation of one miss and you die and we will be playing three very tough teams – Petron, Rain or Shine and Ginebra – We know it’s very hard, but habang may buhay, may pag-asa. We just have to continue fighting,” said Reyes.

The Tropang Texters went on an early rampage, jumping the gun on their sister team and posting a 31-12 lead in the first period. They never looked back as they secured their sixth win in 11 matches.

Japeth Aguilar contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds in what was easily one of his most productive games.

Jimmy Alapag contributed 12 markers and Kelly Williams had 11. Earlier, Williams also achieved a milestone, becoming the 35th player to grab 2,000 defensive rebounds.

Talk N Text import Paul Harris added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Tropang Texters.

The scores:

Talk ‘N Text (108) – De Ocampo 24, Aguilar 20, Alapag 12, Williams 11, Harris 10, Peek 8, Castro 7, Fonacier 5, Alvarez 5, Raymundo 4, Gamalinda 2, Aban 0, Lao 0.

Meralco (84) – West 21, Cardona 13, Daa 11, Mercado 9, Bulawan 8, Taulava 6, Hugnatan 5, Ballesteros 4, Reyes 4, Borboran 3, Ross 0, Timberlake 0, Artadi 0.

Quarters: 31-16, 64-43, 89-63, 108-84

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