PJ Simonof San Mig (dark) vs Ryan Reyes of Talk N Text (light). NUKI SABIO/PBA
MANILA, Philippines–San Mig Coffee kept its Grand Slam bid alive, outplaying Talk ‘N Text, 93-87, Friday night to advance to the Finals of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Mixers closed out the series, 3-2, at Smart Araneta Coliseum and will await the winner of the Rain or Shine-Alaska knockout match Saturday.
In a tense match which neither team really dominated early on, San Mig got the separation it needed in the third period, erecting a 10-point lead there to establish control.
Talk ‘N Text found ways to chip at it, but Mark Barroca took charge in the fourth, giving San Mig leads of as many as 14.
The Mixers then held off repeated rallies by the Tropang Texters to seal a fourth straight Finals appearance. San Mig has won three straight titles in the league thus far. The Mixers are trying to become just the fourth squad to win three titles in a season.
James Yap had 25 points to provide the spark for the Mixers, making five of nine shots from beyond the arc. Yap was named Best Player of the Game.
Mark ‘Coffee Prince’ contributed 17 points.
San Mig Coffee is awaiting the winner of another do-or-die match between Rain or Shine Elasto Painters versus the Alaska Aces.
That game is on Saturday, June 28, 5 p.m at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. With reports from Celest Colina and Jersy Hortaleza, INQUIRER.net
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