2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals

The 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals was the best-of-7 championship series of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 2011 Commissioner's Cup, and the conclusion of the conference's playoffs. The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings played for the 102nd championship contested by the league.

2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals

Team Coach Wins (1) Talk 'N Text Chot Reyes 4 (3) Barangay Ginebra Jong Uichico 2
Dates	April 27 - May 5, 2011
MVP	Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro
Television	Solar Sports (Studio 23), BTV
Announcers	See broadcast notes
Radio network	DZRJ-AM
Referees
Game 1: N. Quilinguen, P. Balao, R. Maurillo Game 2: P. Balao, J. Mariano, S. Pineda Game 3: B. Guevarra, J. Mariano, S. Pineda Game 4: N. Quilinguen, P. Balao, R. Maurillo Game 5: J. Mariano, B. Guevarra, N. Quilinguen Game 6: N. Quilinguen, P. Balao, S. Pineda

The Tropang Texters qualified to the playoffs after finishing the elimination round with the #1 seed and a bye up to the semifinals, suffering only one defeat, against Smart Gilas national team in their conference opener. In the semifinals they defeated the Air21 Express in three consecutive games. The Kings on the other hand, finished third and had to beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals in order to meet Smart Gilas in the semifinals. The Kings defeated #2 seed Smart Gilas in four games to qualify for the finals.

In the finals, the Tropang Texters blew the game wide open in the third quarter after a tightly contested first half to lead the series 1–0. The Kings won Game 2 in a tight contest to tie the series, but the Tropang Texters won comfortably at Puerto Princesa to regain the series lead. Back in Metro Manila, the Tropang Texters won Game 4 after trailing by as much 17 points to move within a win away from the championship, but the Kings won Game 5 to extend the series. In a tightly contested Game 6, Talk 'N Text needed an overtime period to eliminate Ginebra to win their second consecutive PBA championship.

Background

Road to the finals

Main article: 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup

Talk 'N Text		Barangay Ginebra
Finished 1st, 8–1 (0.889)	Elimination round		Finished tied for 3rd, 5–4 (0.556)
	Tiebreaker		12 in overall point differential over Air21's -4 and Alaska's -8
Bye	Quarterfinals		Def. Rain or Shine, 2–1
Def. Air21, 3–0	Semifinals		Def. Smart Gilas, 3–1

Series summary

Team	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Game 4	Game 5	Game 6*	Wins
Talk 'N Text	102	106	104	91	93	99	4
Barangay Ginebra	83	108	88	84	100	96	2
Venue	Araneta	Cuneta	Puerto Princesa	Araneta	Araneta	Araneta

*overtime

Game 1

Solar

April 27 7:00 p.m.

Report

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 102, Barangay Ginebra Kings 83
Scoring by quarter: 22–20, 24–27, 27–12, 29–24
Pts: Harris 28 Rebs: Harris 15 Asts: Alapag 5		Pts: Caguioa 23 Rebs: Hatfield 10 Asts: Labagala 5
Talk 'N Text leads series, 1–0

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: N. Quilinguen, P. Balao, R. Maurillo

Ginebra led early in the first quarter, erecting a 16–6 lead but Talk 'N Text scored on a 15–4 run to lead in the first quarter by one point. The Tropang Texters then had another 15–5 run gave them a 39–29 advantage but Ginebra made their own run at the final minutes of the second quarter, capped off by a three-point buzzer-beater by Mark Caguioa to put the Kings up by one point at halftime. At the start of the third quarter, Talk 'N Text limited the Kings to two field goals and scored 14 points to lead by nine points. Talk 'N Text's bench scored 39 points to prevent another Ginebra run to close out the game, with the Tropang Texters leading by as much as 22 at some point.

Game 2

Solar

April 29 7:00 p.m.

Report

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 106, Barangay Ginebra Kings 108
Scoring by quarter: 30–15, 16–32, 34–29, 26–32
Pts: Harris 24 Rebs: Carey 9 Asts: Alapag 10		Pts: Brumfield 27 Rebs: Brumfield 15 Asts: Brumfield 8
Series tied, 1–1

Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay Referees: P. Balao, J. Mariano, S. Pineda

Talk 'N Text led early in the game with Paul Harris, Ryan Reyes and Jayson Castro outscoring the entire Ginebra team 30–15 in the first quarter. Robert Labagala and John Wilson scored on hustle plays in the second quarter to give Ginebra the lead 47–46. In the third quarter, Ronald Tubid and Talk 'N Text assistant coach Aboy Castro had a verbal altercation but were separated after Tubid gave Jimmy Alapag a hard foul; Ranidel de Ocampo later scored a three-point shot to tie the game at 71–all. Wilson scored 16 points in the game, including a key three-point play in a Ginebra 9-point run to give them the lead 108–101. Talk 'N Text made a final run and had a chance to win the game, but Alapag missed his three-point shot as time expired.

Game 3

Solar

May 1 6:00 p.m.

Report

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 104, Barangay Ginebra Kings 88
Scoring by quarter: 31–29, 26–20, 22–25, 25–14
Pts: de Ocampo 21 Rebs: Harris 8 Asts: Alapag 5		Pts: Caguioa 18 Rebs: Brumfield 13 Asts: Cortez 5
Talk 'N Text leads series, 2–1

Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa Referees: B. Guevarra, J. Mariano, S. Pineda

Ranidel de Ocampo scored two consecutive three-point shots to give Talk 'N Text a 57–49 lead at halftime. While Caguioa led Ginebra into tying the game at 47–all, De Ocampo, Alapag and Larry Fonacier scored on five more three-point shots to extend Talk 'N Text's lead; Alapag's last three-pointer extended the Tropang Texters' lead to 12 points with 3:49 left in the game. Harvey Carey and Castro scored against the Ginebra defense to give the Tropang Texters an unassailable 18-point lead.

Game 4

Solar

May 4 7:00 p.m.

Report

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 91, Barangay Ginebra Kings 84
Scoring by quarter: 20–23, 16–26, 23–19, 32–16
Pts: Harris 26 Rebs: Harris 10 Asts: Alapag, Reyes 3		Pts: Brumfield, Caguioa 15 Rebs: Nate Brumfield 15 Asts: Cortez 4
Talk 'N Text leads series, 3–1

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: N. Quilinguen, P. Balao, R. Maurillo

Ginebra erected a 49–36 lead at halftime then extended it to a 55–38 lead early in the third quarter after a JC Intal three-point shot with 10:44 left in the third quarter. Talk 'N Text then had a 24–7 run led by Harris, de Ocampo and Castro, who converted on a jump shot to give the Tropang Texters the lead, 83–77, with 2:16 left in the game. The Kings would not recover and they trailed the series, 3–1.

Game 5

Solar

May 6 7:00 pm

Report

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 93, Barangay Ginebra Kings 100
Scoring by quarter: 24–18, 14–21, 28–31, 27–30
Pts: Castro 19 Rebs: Peek 9 Asts: Castro 5		Pts: Brumfield 26 Rebs: Brumfield 14 Asts: Brumfield 6
Talk 'N Text leads series, 3–2

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: J. Mariano, B. Guevarra, N. Quilinguen

Both teams figured in a low-scoring first half, with Ginebra holding a 39–38 lead. The Kings started the third quarter with a 9–0 run to extend their lead to ten; Castro scored five points in a 9–2 Talk 'N Text run to cut the lead to one, 58–57. Castro kept the Tropang Texters in the game, but Ginebra broke a 62–all deadlock with a run to lead 70–66 at the end of the third quarter. Castro scored nine more points but Ginebra kept the lead; with the Kings holding a 95–90 lead, the Tropang Texters turned over the ball, which led to a Mike Cortez three-point shot that gave Ginebra an unassailable 98–90 lead.

Game 6

Solar

May 8 6:00 pm

Report

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 99, Barangay Ginebra Kings 96 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 23–28, 25–25, 16–21, 24–14, Overtime: 11–8
Pts: Alapag 24 Rebs: Peek 12 Asts: Alapag 6		Pts: Miller 21 Rebs: Brumfield 22 Asts: Brumfield, Miller 4
Talk 'N Text wins series, 4–2

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: N. Quilinguen, P. Balao, S. Pineda

Ginebra had an 81–65 lead early in the fourth quarter when Talk 'N Text had an 11–0 run as they cut the lead to four points with 5:35 left. Down by two points in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Alapag drove to the basket and scored a lay-up to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Labagala also drove to the basket but missed on a floater to send the game into overtime. De Ocampo, Alapag and Castro scored three-point shots to give the Tropang Texters the lead 97–93 when Wilson scored his own three-pointer to cut the lead to one point with 58.3 seconds left in overtime. After Alapag scored on two free throws, Caguioa missed on a difficult three-pointer and Willie Miller turned the ball over as time expired.

Alapag and Castro were named finals co-MVPs for the second consecutive conference.

Rosters

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters roster

Players	Coaches
Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From G 3 Alapag, Jimmy (C) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Cal State San Bernardino F 4 Carey, Harvey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sonoma State G 10 Reyes, Ryan 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Cal State Fullerton G/F 11 Harris, Paul (I) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Syracuse G/F 12 Fonacier, Larry 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Ateneo G 17 Castro, Jayson 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 167 lb (76 kg) Philippine Christian F 20 Dillinger, Jared 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Hawaiʻi F 21 Williams, Kelly 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Oakland G 27 Oreta, Emerson 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) UST G/F 28 Yee, Mark 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) San Sebastian (Cavite) F/C 33 De Ocampo, Ranidel 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Saint Francis of Assisi C 34 Peek, Ali 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Saint Mary's F 40 Alvarez, Rich 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Ateneo F 51 Aban, Aaron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Letran C 98 Lao, Gilbert 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) UST	Head coach Chot Reyes (Ateneo) Assistant coach(es) Norman Black (Saint Joseph's) Jamike Jarin (Ateneo) Nash Racela (Ateneo) Bong Ravena (UE) Jaime Macayan (UE) Legend (C) Team captain (CI) Commissioner's Cup Import (GI) Governors' Cup Import (EI) EASL Import (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended (R) Rookie (I) Import Injured

Barangay Ginebra Kings roster

Players	Coaches
Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From G 1 Cortez, Mike 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) De La Salle F/C 2 Mamaril, Billy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Bakersfield G/F 4 Aquino, Jimbo (R) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) San Sebastian F 6 Intal, JC 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Ateneo G 9 Labagala, Rob (R) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) UE G 11 Miller, Willie 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Letran G 13 Helterbrand, Jayjay  5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Kentucky State F 15 Brumfield, Nate (I) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Oklahoma Baptist C 18 de Ocampo, Yancy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Saint Francis of Assisi F/C 23 Villanueva, Enrico  6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Ateneo G/F 24 Wilson, John (R) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) José Rizal F 27 Wilson, Willy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) De La Salle F/C 30 Menk, Eric (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Lake Superior State G 47 Caguioa, Mark 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Glendale CC (CA) G/F 71 Tubid, Ronald 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) UE F 99 Hatfield, Rudy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) UM–Dearborn	Head coach Jong Uichico (De La Salle) Assistant coach(es) Siot Tanquingcen (UST) Juno Sauler (De La Salle) Allan Caidic (UE) Legend (C) Team captain (CI) Commissioner's Cup Import (GI) Governors' Cup Import (EI) EASL Import (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended (R) Rookie (I) Import Injured

Broadcast notes

Game	Play-by-play	Analyst	Courtside reporters
Game 1	Mico Halili	Andy Jao and Yeng Guiao	Magoo Marjon
Game 2	Richard del Rosario	Quinito Henson and Tim Cone	Patricia Bermudez-Hizon
Game 3	Sev Sarmenta	Andy Jao	Cesca Litton
Game 4	Sev Sarmenta	Jason Webb and Ryan Gregorio	Dominic Uy
Game 5	Richard del Rosario	Andy Jao and Yeng Guiao	Chiqui Reyes
Game 6	Patricia Bermudez-Hizon	Jason Webb and Tim Cone	Magoo Marjon and Jinno Rufino

External links

• PBA official website