(CNN Philippines) — Ranidel de Ocampo and Jayson Castro heated up as the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters disposed of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 99-92, in the fight-marred Game 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
De Ocampo followed up a 27-point performance in the previous game with 33 points, his highest output in a Talk ’N Text uniform, on Wednesday (April 22).
Castro sizzled with 25 points on five three-pointers to help the Tropang Texters even the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
De Ocampo uncorked one of his three three-pointers with 1:35 to go to make the count out of reach, 97-83.
Rain or Shine scored six more after that, before Castro, the newly-minted Best Player of the Conference, pushed the lead back to double digits as Talk ’N Text pulled away for good, 99-89.
Talk ’N Text quelled repeated rallies by the Elasto Painters, who were within five points before Castro made another three-pointer to set the tables up for another barrage.
Rain or Shine simply had no answer with Wayne Chism, hailed Best Import during a brief ceremony ushering in Game 4, shooting a putrid 2-of-10 from the field.
Also saddled by foul trouble, Chism finished with only 13 points.
In his stead, Chris Tiu took care of the cudgels and scattered career-high team-high 21 points including 10 in the final quarter. Paul Lee added 17 points.
It has been a physical series, but things turned from worse to worst when a scuffle ensued at the 9:47 mark of the fourth period that saw Jireh Ibanes and JR Quinahan of Rain or Shine, and Talk ’N Text rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser getting the boot.
A number of police officers lined up at the hallway as players made their way to the dugout after the game.
Game 5 is on Friday (April 24) also at the Big Dome.
