(CNN Philippines) — With the crucial game on the line, Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters played with sense of urgency to rack up a 103-94 victory over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 5 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum Friday (April 24).
Talk ’N Text, which last won it all in the 2013 Philippine Cup, is just a win away from hoisting the championship trophy with a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
But the series is far from over, said Talk ’N Text coach Jong Uichico.
“We played with a sense of urgency. Mabuti na nanalo, pero hindi pa tapos. Apat (na laro) ang dapat ipanalo,” said Uichico moments after the conquest of the Elasto Painters.
Talk ’N Text was trailing by 10 points before a second-quarter outburst gave them the lead that never relinquished.
Down by as much as 20 points, Rain or Shine trimmed the gap on Paul Lee’s back-to-back baskets with 1:07 to go, 99-94.
But Talk ’N Text rookie Kevin Alas restored order with a tear drop while import Ivan Johnson followed it up with a put back to seal the win.
Ranidel de Ocampo and Johnson shone with 27 points apiece for the Tropang Texters, who won the last two games. Jayson Castro added 15 points with five assists, and three steals.
Rain or Shine was paced by Wayne Chism’s 25 points. Lee had 19 markers.
