GMA News
Paul Harris has been regarded by Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes as the best defensive import.
In the pivotal Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup best-of-seven Finals series, Harris showed his offensive prowess – and his overall value to the Tropang Texters.
Harris scored 14 points in the fourth period to propel Talk 'N Text to a come-from-behind 91-84 win and a commanding 3-1 lead in the series on Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
"Prior to the start of the second half, Paul Harris' mind was still on the Best Import award," said Reyes. "I told him that at this point, the people who voted for Nate Brumfield was right after all. So I challenged him to prove his point. I even asked him if he's in or out, then he responded by saying he's in. And he proved it in the second half."
Harris had eight points in the Texters' backbreaking fourth-quarter onslaught. He anchored the Texters' 14-4 run in the first four minutes of the final period as Talk 'N Text turned a 68-59 deficit to a 73-72 lead.
Jason Castro and Ali Peek also helped out in that breakout quarter for the Texters. Castro had six points, including a buzzer-beating jumper as the shot clock was about to expire for Talk 'N Text. That jumper gave the Tropang Texters an 83-77 advantage 2:16 left in the match.
After Nate Brumfield ended a three-minute drought for Barangay Ginebra, Talk 'N Text sued for time with Reyes mapping out another brilliant play off a side court inbound.
The play had Harris inbounding the ball from the sidelines and Ryan Reyes popping out to receive the ball. The Talk 'N Text import went out then made a backdoor cut that caught the Gin Kings' defense napping.
The breakdown on defense allowed Harris to score on a dunk unchallenged and give the Tropang Texters an 85-79 lead, 1:29 left in the match.
A basket by Peek with a minute to go shoved the Texters on safer grounds.
Mike Cortez made a last-ditch stand to rally Ginebra with a triple but Harris and Larry Fonacier combined for four straight free throws as Talk 'N Text moved on the threshold of wrapping up the series.
The Tropang Texters can close out the series with a win on Friday also at the Big Dome.
With the win, the Tropang Texters moved a win away from achieving a rare back-to-back PBA championships, something which Reyes has yet to achieve as an 18-year coach in the league.
"When we were walking on our way out of the court, I gave the guys three words: it's not over," said Reyes, who achieved a historic feat of becoming the only coach to win at least two titles in three different teams. "And of course, realistically, we need four wins." - GMA News
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