PBA/Nuki Sabio
But after 53 minutes, the long-time deputy mentor got the job done, propelling the two-time defending champion Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to a tense 112-110 victory over the Meralco Bolts Friday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m relieved,” said Racela, who is pitching in as head coach for Norman Black, who is finishing his coaching stint with Ateneo in the UAAP. “Going to this game, our objective was to win, regardless of what happens. Yun bilin ni Coach Norman.”
In Racela’s first game, Talk ‘N Text squandered a 24-point lead late in the third quarter.
Led by Jay-R Reyes, the Bolts unleashed a crippling 25-4 run . The 6-foot-7 center had six of his team’s last nine points, including a last basket in regulation off a feed by Sol Mercado that sent the game into overtime.
But the Tropang Texters showed their championship poise in the extra period.
Four straight points from Jayson Castro and Jared Dillinger gave the Tropang Texters some headway, 110-109. But a three-pointer by Sol Mercado cut the lead to just a single point.
Meralco sent Castro to the free throw line, before the Talk ‘N Text bench was called for a late technical foul for improper bench decorum. Ronjay Buenafe tied the score with a technical free throw, but Castro hit both foul shots to give his team a two-point lead.
Talk ‘N Text shadowed Mercado into a turnover to escape with the win.
The scores:
Talk N’ Text 112 – Dillinger 20, Castro 16, Reyes 12, Williams 11, De Ocampo 11, Carey 11, Peek 10, Raymundo 8, Fonacier 8, Gamalinda 5.
Meralco 110 – Reyes 25, Mercado 20, Hodge 19, Buenafe 18, Salvacion 8, Ross 7, Cardona 7, Hugnatan 6, Belencion 0, Sharma 0.
Quarters: 33-20, 53-43, 86-64, 99-99, 112-110
source: interaksyon.com
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