James Yap. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — B-Meg erased a 2-3 series deficit with a sizzling performance Friday night and post a 97-81 triumph over Rain or Shine and forge a winner-take-all game seven in the 2012 PBA Governor’s Cup finals.
The Llamados had luck on their side in the payoff period, quashing any hopes of a comeback by the Elastopainters with a steady lead which stretched to as big as 24 points.
“We played a good game, we hit all of our shots,” said head coach Tim Cone in the post-game presser.
Aside from sinking 11 three pointers which ultimately doomed the Elastopainters, the Llamados also exploited their sheer edge in height and cleaned up the glass exceptionally well.
Import Marcus Blakely churned out 19 points, also joining the fray with three treys, while plucking 15 boards.
James Yap topscored with 20 points and nine boards while guards PJ Simon and Jonas Villanueva combined for 27 markers.
B-Meg, which is dealing with another full series in back-to-back conference, looks to finish what it started on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“But all we did was tie the series. This win doesn’t really mean anything if we don’t win the next game.”
Jamelle Cornley had 14 points and 11 boards for Rain or Shine, which was sorely outrebounded by 23 boards.
Head coach Yeng Guiao, though, said that fielding rookie-of-the-year Paul Lee, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury early in the series, in the next game was not an option.
“We do not want to take that risk on Paul Lee,” said Guiao.