Known as an offensive-minded squad, Talk ‘N Text used a complete defensive game to drop Ginebra, 83-67, earlier at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang Texters complete the exciting semifinals cast of the All-Filipino Cup as they will face the league-leading San Miguel Beermen on Friday.
Knotted up
Coming into the second half at 40 apiece, Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text continued exchanging baskets as they found themselves tied up at 50-50 with just seven minutes remaining in the third. However, that was the Kings’ final push as the Tropang Texters mounted a 10-nothing run to take away the game for good. Ginebra tried to launch rallies of their own but the Texters’ consistency in both defense and offense took it away from them.
The Blur’s game
Gilas star guard Jayson Castro did much of his scoring damage in the first half and in the early goings of the third canto. He scored 21 of his 23 markers in that stretch while only scoring a couple of points in the crucial Texters run in the payoff period.
Though scoring minimal points in the dying minutes of the game, Castro orchestrated his team well, dishing off five assists. He also shot 8-of-16 from the field. Co-Gilas mainstay Ranidel De Ocampo backed up Castro, contributing 17 markers of his own.
All about defense
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser sparked the defensive stance of the Texters, with four of the 10 rejections of his squad. The big men of Talk ‘N Text held Greg Slaughter to a 3-of-12 shooting night, as Japeth Aguilar also struggled with a 3-of-10 clip. All in all, Ginebra only shot 29% from the field on a 17% clip from beyond the arc.
Ginebra will continue its title drought, which already stands at more than 20 conferences . Coincidentally, Texters head coach Jong Uichico was the last coach of the Kings who steered the franchise to its last championship run.
