MANILA — Import Ivan Johnson exploded for 47 points, including nine three-pointers, to lead the Talk N Text Tropang Texters to an emphatic 101-93 victory over the Alaska Aces Sunday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The Texters thus gained a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing as second seed heading into the playoffs with an 8-3 win-loss card, the same record held by Rain or Shine and Puregoods. But based on the quotient system, Rain or Shine took the first seed, likewise securing a twice-to-beat advantage, while Purefoods is relegated as the third seed. Johnson also grabbed 10 rebounds. The temperamental former NBA player already poured 30 points in the first half, just a point lower than the score of the entire Alaska squad. Ranidel de Ocampo added 20 points while Jayson Castro chipped in with 10 markers. After trailing 0-6 in the first quarter, TNT's guns started blazing as the Texters quickly seized the upper hand with double-digit leads. TNT's lead increased to as high as 25 points in the third quarter as Johnson kept unleashing long-range bombs. But the Aces refused to yield without a fight as they managed to cut the deficit to nine, 79-72, after a 16-5 run with more than six minutes left. They further trimmed TNT's lead to just five, 93-88. But then only 36.8 seconds were left and the Texters simply held on to their until the final buzzer sounded. Import Damion James led the Aces with 23 points and 16 rebounds, not enough to prevent Alaska from skidding to a 4-6 mark and falling into a three-way tie for seventh to ninth places with GlobalPort and Barako Bull. Alaska could still make it to the playoffs if it defeats Barangay Ginebra in the conference's final elimination round game Wednesday and if it emerges with a higher quotient than GlobalPort and Barako Bull. Calvin Abueva finished with 16 points while Dondon Hontiveros added 11. Cyrus Baguio and the come-backing Jvee Casio chipped in 10 points apiece. Rain or Shine 119, Kia 99 The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters secured the No. 1 seed with a methodical 119-99 crushing of the Kia Carnival. Import Wayne Chism posted 28 points, including six three-pointers, on top of 12 rebounds. Raymond Almazan added 16 points and nine rebounds. Behemoth import PJ Ramos had his usual monstrous production of 45 points and 21 rebounds, but it was not enough to prevent Kia from absorbing its seventh defeat against four wins in its final elimination round match. Kia is now in a three-way tie for the last quarterfinals slot. The Carnival's quarterfinal hopes now rest on GlobalPort, Barako Bull and Alaska, all with a 4-6 card, losing their final round assignment with KIA getting the last playoff berth based on a superior quotient. Games Tuesday: Barako Bull Energy vs. NLEX Road Warriors; GlobalPort Batang Pier vs. San Miguel Beermen.
