MANILA—Olsen Racela came off the bench to fire three crucial triples that carried San Miguel to a 93-88 victory over arch-rival Talk ‘N Text and back into the solo lead last night of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 40-year-old veteran made the most out of the little playing time he has been getting as he nears retirement, giving the Beermen a decisive 88-73 lead entering the final with barely five minutes left.
The Beermen improved to 8-2 and moved out of a momentary tie forged by Barangay Ginebra earlier as the Gin Kings rolled to a tournament-best sixth straight win after plastering Barako Bull, 90-78.
Ronald Tubid scored 19 points, and Mark Caguioa scored 14 of his 17 in the fourth quarter for Ginebra, which boosted its record to 7-2 while dealing the Energy Boosters their fourth straight loss, the longest in the tournament.
The Boosters fell deeper into the cellar with a 2-7 record, now a full game behind joint ninth-placers Powerade and Air21.
“We really struggled at the start and that’s what we were afraid of,” Ginebra coach Jong Uichico told reporters.
Jay Washington scattered 20 points and plucked down 11 boards and Alex Cabagnot and Dondon Hontiveros added 11 for the Beermen.
Jason Castro and Ali Peek scored 18 each to lead the Texters, who lost for the third time in nine matches. Harvey Carey added 15 and pulled down a career-high tying 23 rebounds. Photo by Nuki Sabio, PBA
The scores:
First Game
BARANGAY GINEBRA 90—Tubid 19, Caguioa 17, Miller 10, Mamaril 9, Villanueva 9, Wilson 6, Cortez 6, Helterbrand 5, Aquino 4, Hatfield 3, Menk 2, De Ocampo 0.
BARAKO BULL 78—Salvacion 15, Hubalde 14, Isip 13, Alonzo 10, Daa 10, Andaya 6, Hermida 4, Cruz 4, Yee 2, Juntilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Wainwright 0.
Quarters: 18-14, 39-37, 62-58, 90-78
Second Game
SAN MIGUEL 93—Washington 20, Cabagnot 11, Hontiveros 11, Racela 9, Seigle 9, Ildefonso 9, Pennisi 9, Santos 7, Tugade 6, Artadi 2, Yeo 0, Miranda 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 88—Castro 18, Peek 18, Carey 15, Dillinger 13, Fonacier 8, Alapag 6, Aban 4, Reyes 2, Alvarez 2, Lao 2.
Quarters: 16-16, 35-36, 68-61, 93-88
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