Blakely helps B-Meg repulse Petron
Marcus Blakely vs Jay Washington PBA IMAGE/Nuki Sabio
Marcus Blakely fired up the B-Meg game on both ends Wednesday night and keyed a thrilling 104-93 come-from-behind win over Petron Blaze that practically ended the Boosters’ reign as PBA Governors’ Cup champion at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The hardworking import was the inspiration the Llamados needed in erasing a 19-point deficit in the second quarter and bucking the ejection of head coach Tim Cone as B-Meg defeated Petron for the first time this season and rose to 8-3.
B-Meg moved within another victory of earning at least a tie for the second title series berth and took a heavyweight out of the title race picture as the Boosters lost for the second straight game for 6-6 overall.
Petron, which won this title in seven gripping games over Talk ’N Text last year, is out of the 4-of-5 incentive picture and the best that the Boosters could do after last night’s result is reach eight victories.
But with Rain or Shine already at 9-2, the only chance is for them to hope that B-Meg and idle Barangay Ginebra don’t get to nine wins. The Llamados still have three games left like the Kings, who are at 7-4.
Ranidel de Ocampo was near-perfect in leading Talk ‘N Text to an easy 108-84 win over sister squad Meralco in the first game as the Tropang Texters stayed alive in the championship hunt.
De Ocampo finished with 24 points, Japeth Aguilar played his worthiest game this season with 20 points and 10 rebounds and four other Texters dropped 10 markers or more as TNT nailed a sixth win in 11 games.
While they remained near the bottom of the standings despite the win, the Texters remained in contention for a playoff slot for the second title berth which they can achieve by sweeping their last three games.
“We have no other choice,” Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes said.
The scores:
First Game
TALK ’N TEXT 108—De Ocampo 24, Aguilar 20, Alapag 12, Williams 11, Harris 10, Peek 8, Castro 7, Fonacier 5, Alvarez 5, Raymundo 4, Gamalinda 2, Aban 0, Lao 0.
MERALCO 84—West 21, Cardona 13, Daa 11, Mercado 9, Bulawan 8, Taulava 6, Hugnatan 5, Ballesteros 4, Reyes 4, Borboran 3, Ross 0, Timberlake 0, Artadi 0.
Quarters: 31-16, 64-43, 89-63, 108-84
Second Game
B-MEG 104—Blakely 35, Yap 20, Pingris 18, Simon 10, Villanueva 8, Reavis 4, De Ocampo 4, Urbiztondo 3, Barroca 2.
PETRON 93—Cabagnot 22, Washington 15, Santos 14, Ildefonso 14, Faison 12, Lutz 6, Hontiveros 5, Yeo 2, Miranda 2, Peña 1.
Quarters: 19-32, 44-57, 67-74, 104-93
