Talk N Text's Ivan Johnson finds the ball wedged between his arm and body as Purefoods' Marc Pingris tries to apply the handcuff on him in Monday night's PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinal action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. JAY R. GOTERA Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The Talk N Text Tropang Texters silenced the guns of the Purefoods Star Hotshots with their stingy defense en route to a 93-77 victory Monday night, thus leveling their best-of-five PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals series at 1-all.
All five TNT starters and a rookie coming off the bench scored in double digits in a balanced display of offensive firepower. They were led by Jayson Castro who chalked up 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Import Ivan Johnson finished with 16 points, including two crucial baskets in the endgame to ensure TNT's win. He also had 20 rebounds and five steals.
Ranidel de Ocampo added 14 points and 10 boards, Jay Washington and rookie Kevin Alas chipped in with 12 points apiece, while Larry Fonacier dished out 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Purefoods' import Denzel Bowles had another sizzling game, leading all scorers with 35 points on top of eight boards. James Yap added 15 points while Peter June Simon chipped in with 10 markers.
The Texters limited the Hotshots to a 35.2 percent shooting clip (25 of 71) while coming up a 43.5 shooting (37 of 85) clip.
TNT raced to an early lead and sustained it for most parts of the game. In the third quarter though the Hotshots unleashed a 12-0 run to grab the lead, 41-40. Yap then fired a three-pointer followed by another basket to up Purefoods' lead to 46-40.
TNT answered with a 7-0 attack to regain a 47-46 lead. The Hotshots made their final stand in the fourth quarter. But the Texters once again struck back with a 15-3 run late in the game to frustrate the Hotshots.
Meanwhile, Ginebra traded reserve big man Billy Mamaril to Barako Bull for Dave Marcelo of Barako Bull as new Ginebra head coach Frankie Lim began his team's first day of practice. Lim took over from Ato Agustin after the Kings' quick exit in the Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.
Ginebra earlier traded seldom used reserves James Forrester and Dylan Ababou for Barako Bull's first-round pick in 2015.
It turned out to be a complex four-team trade as San Miguel Beer and GlobalPort also shook up their rosters. After Ginebra traded Mamaril for Barako Bull's Marcelo, Barako Bull gave up Mamaril to San Miguel Beer in exchange for Rico Maierhofer. Aside from Maierhofer, SMB also traded Doug Kramer to GlobalPort in exchange for Gabby Espinas and Yancy de Ocampo. Mamaril finally landed at GlobalPort along with Kramer.
It was a win-win trade for all the teams involved. Espinas and De Ocampo are expected to bolster SMB's frontline while GlobalPort will now have two battle-tested big men in Kramer and Mamaril, who only had limited playing time in their previous teams. Barako Bull acquired a dependable big man in Maierhofer. For Ginebra, the 6'5” Marcelo will further bolster its young frontline of seven-footer Greg Slaughter and 6'9” Japeth Aguilar.
Game Tuesday: Meralco Bolts vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (Game 3 of best-of-5 semifinals; Rain or Shine leads 2-0).
