(CNN Philippines) — With star guard Jayson Castro shelved for the most part with five fouls, rookie Kevin Alas stepped up early in the fourth period to help Talk ’N Text take a 93-77 win over Purefoods in Game 2 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Monday (April 6) at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Alas shot back-to-back three-pointers followed by a breakaway layup at the 6:08 mark of the final quarter to give the Tropang Texters a 76-70 lead that never relinquished.
Castro checked back in late in the period to put the finishing touches by scoring seven straight points. A three-pointer by Ranidel de Ocampo and Larry Fonacier followed after that sealed the deal for the Tropang Texters, who tied the best-of-five series at one-game apiece.
“Teams find ways to win the game so it’s a given that emotions are too high,” said Talk ’N Text coach Jong Uichico. “Nobody wants to back down.”
Despite being hounded by foul trouble, Castro managed to scatter a team-high 21 points with seven rebounds, and four assists.
Import Ivan Johnson, who got into altercations with Marc Pingris, was limited to 16 points but his stingy defense on Purefoods import Denzel Bowles did wonders.
Bowles scored a game-high 35 points but hardly made an impact in the final quarter with only two points.
James Yap and PJ Simon added 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Game 3 is on Thursday (April 9) at the Big Dome.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 93 – Castro 21, Johnson 16, De Ocampo 14, Washington 12, Alas 12, Fonacier 10, Carey 2, Williams 2, Rosser 2, Aban 2.
PUREFOODS 77 – Bowles 35, Yap 15, Simon 10, Pennisi 5, Maliksi 3, Devance 3, Reavis 2, Mallari 2, Barroca 2, Melton 0, Pingris 0.
Quarters: 21-13, 40-34, 59-57, 93-77
