HARVEY Carey of Talk ‘N Text makes a reverse layup off San Mig Coffee’s James Yap in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELACRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—San Mig Coffee won out in a game that will go down in the annals of the PBA as a classic and moved within another victory of wrapping up a third straight championship.
“It was a game for the ages, in my opinion,” San Mig coach Tim Cone said after grinding out a 77-75 Game 3 victory over Talk ‘N Text Tuesday night in their best-of-five series for the Commissioner’s Cup crown at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The outcome of the game was uncertain until the very last possession.
James Yap hit the go-ahead bucket—an off-balanced jumper over Kelly Williams with 28 seconds left that capped a fightback by the Mixers from four points down in the last two minutes.
Talk ‘N Text lived and died with Jason Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo, the aces who contested the Best Player of the Conference award earlier, as the duo was in the middle of the bungled plays that brought the Tropang Texters down.
Castro missed two three-point attempts inside the final 40 seconds, including the potential game-winner that was a tad hard. Those two misses came after he had gifted the Texters a 75-71 lead, with 75 seconds left.
Before that, De Ocampo, runner-up to Castro in the BPC, threw a pass that Castro couldn’t handle, leading to a free throw by Joe Devance for what turned out to be the final score.
James Mays paced the Mixers with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Castro still went on to lead the Texters with 21 while Richard Howell, the Best Import awardee, finished with just 10 points.
THE SCORES:
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 77—Mays 20, Simon 17, Yap 13, Devance 10, Pingris 7, Sangalang 6, Barroca 2, Mallari 2, De Ocampo 0, Reavis 0, Melton 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 75—Castro 21, De Ocampo 18, Canaleta 12, Howell 10, Williams 5, Carey 5, Reyes Ryan 4, Reyes Rob 0, Aban 0, Fonacier 0, Alapag 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 37-35, 60-56, 77-75