2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals: Talk N Text’s Three-Peat

In the end, the Tropang Texters were just too good and too poised to be brought down by the upstart Elasto-Painters.

In the end, Ranidel De Ocampo and Kelly Williams showed why they are still two of the top frontliners in the league.

In the end, Ali Peek rediscovered the fine form that once made him one of the most feared post operators in the PBA.

In the end, coach Norman Black’s magic continues to astound the competition.

In the end, Manny V. Pangilinan’s Midas touch remains unmatched.

In the end, Talk N Text stood alone atop the 2012-2013 PBA Philippine Cup heap as champions for the third year running.

Jayson Castro may have received the Best Player of the Conference award, but it was De Ocampo and Williams who both spearheaded TNT’s unexpected rout of gritty Rain or Shine in Game Four.

Williams pumped in a double-double, 15 points and 11 rebounds, while De Ocampo registered a near-triple-double line of 19 points, 10 boards, and 7 assists. The former St. Francis of Assisi Dove hit 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in a performance that further solidified his moniker, Ranidirk. Other Texters who broke into double-digits were Peek, Jared Dillinger, Larry Fonacier, and Jimmy Alapag. 

Kelly Williams and the rest of the Texters won
Game Four in emphatic fashion!

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, continued to suffer anemic shooting. They hit under 38% of their field goals, including just 2-of-17 from three. Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz led the Painters with 16 and 13 markers respectively, while the usually hot-shooting duo of Paul Lee and Jeff Chan continued to languish with a combined 16 points on 6-of-22 shooting.


Game Recaps:

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS, 105-82

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters would not be denied.

Neither would they be delayed.

Talk ‘N Text saved the best for last, fashioning a masterful 105-82 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum to win the 2013 Philippine Cup with a 4-0 sweep.

The Tropang Texters became the first team in PBA history to win the most coveted crown three straight seasons. It was their first under new coach Norman Black, who won his 11th PBA title in his return to the pro league after almost a decade coaching in college.

“I’m really happy for my players, they worked so hard this year,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.

Talk ‘N Text jumped out to another great start looking for the knockout punch, but a corner three-pointer by Paul Lee to end the first half put the Elasto Painters within striking distance, 53-46.

Rain or Shine made its move in the third quarter, cutting down the deficit to just two points, 65-63, on a Chris Tiu layup. But Talk ‘N Text rattled off five straight points capped by a Jared Dillinger three-pointer to put more distance heading into the fourth quarter.

The Tropang Texters broke the game wide open, taking the fight out of Rain or Shine completely by hitting a series of back-breaking shots. Back-to-back three-pointers by spiritual leader Jimmy Alapag gave Talk ‘N Text a 98-72 lead with less than three minutes left, sealing the deal for the Tropang Texters.

Black, who became the first coach in PBA history to win titles in four different decades, dedicated the victory to Talk ‘N Text big bosses.

“Maraming salamat MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan), he’s the best boss in the world,” said Black, who also thanked other team executives after the game.

TNT 105 – De Ocampo 19, Williams 15, Peek 15, Dillinger 14, Fonacier 13, Alapag 10, Castro 6, Reyes 5, Carey 4, Gamalinda 2, Aban 2, Raymundo 0, Alvarez 0, Ferriols 0.
ROS 82 – Rodriguez 16, Cruz 13, Arana 11, Chan 9, Lee 7, Belga 7, Quinahan 6, Tang 5, Tiu 4, Norwood 4, Matias 0, Ibanes 0.
QS: 29-15, 53-46, 70-63, 105-82

Jayson Castro was named BPOC for the
2012-2013 Philippine Cup.

Jervy Cruz tried to rally the Painters to no avail.

More than 17,000 fans packed into the SMART-Araneta
Coliseum to witness TNT's three-peat!

The Texters are Philippine Cup champions for the third year
in a row!

Ranidirk was named the Finals MVP.

Video Highlights:

Source: Unless otherwise specified, game recaps were compressed and compiled from InterAKTV. (Writing credit to Rey Joble.)

All images are from InterAKTV (photos are by Paolo Papa).