Sunday, April 12, 2015

Castro takeover in fourth brings TNT into Finals, dethrones Purefoods

 
By Norman Riego| ABS-CBN Sports
 
The 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals was payback in its sweetest form for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters after they crushed the Purefoods Star Hotshots, 79-66, on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jayson Castro sealed Talk n Text’s reversal of fortune from last season, when Purefoods dominated them in the Finals, by stroking 13 of his 33 points in the fourth. “The Blur” not only scorched the nets, but also got the ball to his teammates as the Texters outscored the Hotshots, 34-18, in the last quarter.

After dropping Game One, Talk n Text won three consecutive contests to set a best-of-seven Finals date with Rain or Shine starting on April 15.

The now dethroned champions were up, 38-28, at halftime until a 10-point eruption by Castro punctuated the Texters’ 12-0 blast in the first five minutes of the third to claim a 40-28 lead.
Purefoods regained control and had a 57-53 advantage with 8:42 left in the game, but Talk n Text had another 11-4 blast in the following two minutes to get ahead, 64-59.

Castro then put on the finishing touches by scoring eight points in the Texters’ 15-7 game-closing charge.

An appreciative coach Jong Uichico said of his franchise player in his post-game conference, “He’s evolved into a go-to-guy. He just makes things easier for us and gives problems to the other team.”
Denzel Bowles was limited to 14 points and was still the Hotshots’ leading scorer. Purefoods has now failed to defend two of its crowns from their Grand Slam conquest last season.

The scores:
TALK N' TEXT 79 - Castro 33, Johnson 15, Washington 12, De Ocampo 12, Fonacier 4, Rosser 2, Alas 1, Williams 0, Aban 0.

PUREFOODS 66 - Bowles 14, Barroca 12, Devance 10, Pingris 8, Simon 6, Melton 5, Mallari 5, Reacis 2, Yap 2, Maliksi 2, Pennisi 0.

QUARTER SCORES: 18-16, 28-38, 45-48, 79-66

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