Kelly Williams of Talk N Text (dark) vs Marqus Blakley of San Mig (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Talk ‘N Text staved off elimination anew after surviving San Mig Coffee, 84-81, in overtime to extend their 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series to a deciding game Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Paul Harris notched a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Tropang Texters, who can complete their comeback from a 0-2 series deficit in Game 5 on Friday.
“We did what we had to do which is to fight another day,” TNT head coach Norman Black told reporters. “And it all comes down on Friday.”
“I think more than anything else tonight, my guys gutted it out today. We didn’t play well offensively but our defense was sound,” said Black, whose defensive game plan pestered Mixers import Marqus Blakely to a measly 12 points on five-of-17 shooting in 49 minutes.
James Yap led all scorers with 23 points, 15 coming from beyond-the-arc, but his biggest shot of the game came from the two-point area when he hit an off-balance one-hander at the buzzer that sent the game to extra session at 74-all.
Marc Pingris hit the first basket in OT but that was the last time San Mig Coffee took the lead.
Larry Fonacier, who finished with 11 points, put TNT on top by four, 83-79,with under a minute left. But the game won’t be decided until the very last second after Joe Devance missed a well-contested triple as time ran out.
“Just give credit to my players for not getting down even in regulation; we should’ve had the chance to win the game we had a foul to give and we didn’t give it and they ended up scoring on that, but at the same time we stuck together during the overtime and we’re able to get the victory,” Black said.
“Right now it’s just all about who has something left in the tank going into Friday’s game.”
Blakely did have 21 rebounds and three blocks. Pingris also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Mixers shot just three-of-12 at the free throw line.