MANILA — Jayson Castro buried a last-second jumper with two defenders on his face as the Talk N Text Tropang Texters edged the NLEX Road Warriors, 98-96, Friday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Castro's game-winner allowed the Texters to survive a huge storm whipped up by the Road Warriors who outscored the Texters, 25-9, in the final quarter. What appeared at first to be a walk in the park for Texters, who led by 29 points in the first half, turned into harrowing fight for dear life in the endgame as the Road Warriors came charging back to cut the Texters' lead to a point, 96-95, with 14 seconds left after import Al Thornton sank two free throws. After Castro committed a turnover, the Road Warriors had a chance to go for the win but TNT's Larry Fonacier intercepted a pass from underneath the NLEX basket. Fonacier was forced to call a time-out as the Road Warriors ganged up on him. Unfortunately, TNT no longer had a timeout, forcing a technical free throw awarded to NLEX. Thornton promptly converted the gift shot to tie the match at 96-all with seven ticks left. Castro then made up for his earlier miscue by draining a clutch jumper just inside the three-point arc with no time remaining for the win. TNT thus nailed its fifth win in six outings to secure the solo second spot in the standings half a game behind the conference-leading Meralco Bolts (5-0). NLEX absorbed its fourth loss in five games to tie the Blackwater Elite at 10th to 11th place just barely above the still winless San Miguel Beer (0-4). New import Ivan Johnson made a smashing debut in the PBA, blasting away with 32 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Texters. However, the NBA veteran, who earlier replaced reigning Best Import Richard Howell, was slowed down by foul trouble in the fourth-quarter, allowing the Road Warriors to catch up. Castro posted 16 points, four rebounds and three assists to win Best Player of the Game honors for the fourth time in the five TNT victories. Ranidel de Ocampo added 13 markers. Thornton exploded for 37 points and 14 rebounds but could not prevent NLEX from absorbing another defeat. Jonas Villanueva added 13 points while Aldrech Ramos chipped in with 10 markers. Meanwhile, the PBA slapped a huge 250,000-peso ($5,681 USD) fine on new Purefoods import Daniel Orton for the latter's “disparaging, disrespectful and offensive” comments against the league, its referees and fellow player and head coach Manny Pacquiao of KIA Motors after his team suffered a humiliating defeat against the Carnival Wednesday. PBA Commissioner Chito Salud blasted the former NBA player, saying his “insulting behavior will never be condoned by this league.” Orton drew the huge fine for branding the officiating of the game and Pacquiao as “a big joke.” Following the game where Orton scored only six points before fouling out, the American import lost his cool and vent out his anger to reporters. Commenting on Pacquiao, Orton said: “Professional boxer, okay. Congressman, alright. Professional basketball player? No. It's a joke. Seriously, it's a joke.” Rain or Shine 99, Alaska 89 The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters welcomed back returning import Wayne Chism with a 99-89 victory over the Alaska Aces who also paraded a new import in Damion James. Chism top-scored for the Painters with 24 points. Jeff Chan added 18 markers while Gabe Norwood and Chris Tiu chipped in with 14 and 11 points, respectively. Rain or Shine secured a tie for third to fourth place with Purefoods after its fourth win in six games. Alaska fell into a tie with Barangay Ginebra at seventh to eighth spot after it suffered its third defeat in five outings. James led the Aces with 28 points, while Cyrus Baguio added 12. Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva chipped in with 11 and 1o markers, respectively. Game Saturday: San Miguel Beermen vs. Meralco Bolts.
