Texters dump Painters to make PBA semifinals

For the second straight conference, the Talk N Text Tropang Texters are marching into the semifinal round. The Tropang Texters, the No.1 seed at the end of the elimination round, subdued the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 107-92, and secured the first semis seat in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday. Larry Fonacier and Jared Dillinger tallied conference highs in points and provided the spark the Texters' needed in putting away the Elasto Painters. Fonacier finished with 21 points while Dillinger came through with his most productive game this season in adding 20 markers as the Texters made the semifinal round for the third time in the last five conferences. Ali Peek had another steady game, making all but one of his nine attempts from the field and finishing with 20 points. Talk N Text didn’t take any chances against a team it considered dangerous. The Tropang Texters’ offensive might was in full display in clinching a spot in the best-of-seven semifinals series. They shot a sizzling 61.5 percent in the first half (24-of-39), setting the tempo for the game and never allowing the Elasto Painters to threaten the rest of the way. By halftime, the Texters were already holding on to a 62-49 advantage. The lead eventually stretched to its biggest at 89-64 late in the third period. The win was Talk `N Text’s sixth straight, tying the longest win streak this conference registered earlier by Barangay Ginebra. The Tropang Texters are set to meet the winner of the quarterfinals match between defending champion Derby Ace and Meralco. “I have no preference," said Talk `N Text coach Chot Reyes, when asked which between the Llamados and the Bolts he wants to play in the semis. “I have learned long before that you have to be careful with what you wish for." “The key in the game was that I think we had the balance we wanted," added Reyes, referring to the big games of Dillinger, Fonacier, and Harvey Carey, who had another double-double performance of 14 markers and 11 rebounds. “We played aggressively, but we still played smart," he added. In losing in the quarterfinals, Rain or Shine became the third team to be eliminated in the season-opening meet after Barako Bull and Powerade. It was the sixth setback in the last seven games for the Elasto Painters. Sol Mercado played with hurting feet, but still led the Elasto Painters with 16 points, while Jervy Cruz added 13. But Gabe Norwood, the other half of the team’s 1-2 punch together with Mercado, was held down to only nine points and went without a two-point field goal out of his nine attempts. Rain or Shine led for the last time at 15-14 with 6:54 left in the first period, before Talk `N Text scored seven unanswered points to seize control of the match. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV