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Source: GMA News

Talk ‘N Text pounced on a luckless B-Meg Derby Ace team Friday night, carving out a 107-102 win to secure the second outright semifinals berth in the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Already without top gunner James Yap (calf injury), the Llamados had the misfortune of losing import Courtney Beasley with just 27 seconds gone in the game after he was ejected from the playing court for committing a landing spot infraction against Harvey Carey.

That was the cue the Tropang Texters needed to assert their might over the Llamados.

Without Beasley, Talk `N Text import Paul Harris went berserk and finished with a game-high 37 points on top of 13 rebounds. Ranidel de Ocampo added 23 and Jimmy Alapag had 10 points.

The Tropang Texters extended their tournament-best winning streak to seven games and tied Smart-Gilas on top with a 7-1 record, becoming the second team after the Nationals to make the semifinals outright.

“We came out ready and prepared with or without Beasley there," said Harris.

The Llamados ended their campaign with a 4-5 (win-loss) record, their fate of whether they make the playoffs now depending solely on the outcome of Air21's and Rain or Shine’s final outings.

With Beasley out of the game, Kerby Raymundo took charge for the Llamados with 22 points, while also becoming the 33rd member of the league’s 2,000 defensive rebounds club.

Peter June Simon added 17 points.

Behind a 1-2-2 defense, the Llamados managed to stay along with the Tropang Texters, even briefly taking the lead twice in the third period, the last time at 73-72 with four minutes to go.

They last threatened at 93-95 on a basket by Gerwin Gaco in the final 4:09.

But forced shots and turnovers hurt Derby Ace. The team committed several turnovers, including one in the 1:31 mark when Jonas Villanueva lost the leather to Alapag when the Lllamados were still within striking distance, 95-100.

The error led to two Alapag free throws that made it a seven-point Talk `N Text lead.