De Ocampo, Gilas stars take center stage
MANILA (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Remember those Gilas Pilipinas players who held their own at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, pushing Argentina, Greece, Croatia and Puerto Rico hard in games and ultimately defeating Senegal?
Many will compete at this year's FIBA Asia Championship in China under new coach Tab Baldwin.
For now, though, it's all about the domestic game and putting on a thrilling, end-to-end show in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
Several national team players, including Ranidel de Ocampo, have had starring roles the past several days in the best-of-seven series between Talk 'N Text and Rain or Shine.
The championship showdown that has gone back and forth will be decided on Wednesday following Rain or Shine's 101-93 Game 6 triumph on Sunday.
Rain or Shine were in the driver's seat with a 2-1 lead when De Ocampo took matters into his own hands for Talk 'N Text.
He poured in 33 points in a 99-92 Game 4 triumph.
Best player: Ranidel De Ocampo - 33 pts 2 blks #PBAfinals #pba2015 pic.twitter.com/eV3yqQIM4y
— PBAonTV5 (@PBAonTV5) 22 Avril 2015
Then in Game 5, the 1.98m power forward had 27 points in a 103-94 triumph.
De Ocampo was sensational in both games, just as he was at the World Cup in Seville during a narrow defeat to Argentina.
De Ocampo made his No. 9 jersey famous by drilling four of his eight attempts from behind the arc en route to 18 points.
On Sunday, De Ocampo again led Talk 'N Text with 21 points but Rain or Shine recorded an eight-point victory.
Paul Lee, who lost a tooth earlier in the series, had 16 points for Rain or Shine to help set up the Game 7.
"That's the way the series has being going," said Talk 'N Text coach Jong Uichico. "It's winner take all.
"It's going to happen one game or the next, but it's just one game."
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was proud of his team's effort.
"We played a lot better defense than last time," Guiao said.
The guys wanted to win this and extend it to a Game 7. - Guiao
"The only way to beat Talk 'N Text is to be prepared to make the stops.
"We were able to challenge a lot of their shots, not like the last time we played them.
"It's for all the marbles on Wednesday."
Uichico wishes his team had been sharper in Game 6 but still has confidence in his players.
"If you're ahead, you want to get it done right away," he said.
"But sometimes, things don't fall your way.
"You move on to the next game."
FIBA
