Tropang Texters spoil Hontiveros’ 39-pt explosion

Jimmy Alapag had three clutch hits at endgame, enough to scuttle Dondon Hontiveros' 39-point explosion as Talk n Text regained the upper hand over San Miguel Beer in their KFC PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Alapag stole the show in the homestretch as the Tropang Texters survived Hontiveros' career-best showing, salvaging a 110-106 win and gaining the 2-1 lead over the Beermen in the best-of-seven series.

"In the huddle, we're talking about our need to stop Dondon. He's all banged up but he's still making his shots. But we're also thinking, he's bound to miss somewhere. He missed some and, in the end, our players had their big plays," sighed Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

Hontiveros put in a third 30-point showing in the last five games but missed crucial shots at endgame, negating his performance.

Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Mark Cardona, Harvey Carey, Ali Peek and Jared Dillinger all produced double-digit output, helping cushion the impact of Hontiveros' explosion laced with eight three-pointers -- also a personal best for the Cebuano player.

Alapag made the biggest shots, with his last of five triples in the night pushing the Tropang Texters ahead to stay at 107-105 with 1:52 left to play.

The Beermen went without a field-goal from there, eventually kissing their bid goodbye as Bonbon Custodio missed a premature drive in the closing seconds.

Danny Seigle was underneath the basket but failed to control the rebound. Macmac Cardona grabbed the loose ball and, getting a desperation foul from Hontiveros with a tenth of a second left, made two charities for the final count.

De Ocampo and Peek also had crucial shots in what's easily the best game in the semifinals so far.

"What a game. This is gonna be an exciting series," said Reyes.

"This San Miguel team is getting better while becoming depleted. The reason is that they're able to maximize the talents of their players. When they lost Dorian Pena, talagang nag-worry ako," Reyes also said.

Pena sat out the game due to a sprained right foot. Jay Washington, on the other hand, missed the game as he attended to his wife giving birth in the hospital.

To sustain control in the series, Reyes said they have to figure out a way not to get into foul trouble situation.

"We're giving up so much fouls, and it affects out ability to press. It hampers our defense," said Reyes whose Tropang Texters gave away 43 charities in Game Three.

San Miguel was 37-of-43 from the stripe while Talk n Text converted 19 of only 24 free throws.

Talk n Text got off to a jackrabbit start but slowed down towards the end of the second period, settling for a 64-61 halftime lead.

The Beermen trailed by as many as 14 in the first period but waged a searing chase in a high-scoring second quarter. San Miguel beat Talk n Text, 40-31, in the second period.
Hontiveros was in a zone in the second canto, knocking in four triples and two charities while also getting four rebounds and two assists. (NC)

The scores:

Talk n Text 110 - Alapag 22, De Ocampo 17, Cardona 16, Carey 15, Peek 15, Dillinger 11, Ritualo 9, Castro 3, De Ocampo 2.

San Miguel 106 - Hontiveros 39, Custodio 15, Seigle 11, Tugade 9, Pennisi 9, Bono 8, Villanueva 7, Pingris 6, Racela 2.

Quarterscores: 33-21, 64-61, 84-91, 110-106.


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