Staying alive
MANILA, PHILIPPINES–Tony Washam gave Derby Ace another playdate Friday night. Most likely, that’s also what Shawn Daniels bought himself. Washam scored 12 of the Llamados final 16 points in the last 5:38 and led Derby Ace to an 88-82 decision of San Miguel Beer that extended their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinal series to a sixth game at the Araneta Coliseum. Those 12 points by the second generation import in that stretch matched his entire total in the whole of Game 4, which the Llamados lost, 75-83, to drop into a 1-3 pit. Washam finished with 18 points this time, and he wasn’t the lone bright spot for the Llamados. Defenders Rafi Reavis and Marc Pingris were as offensive-minded as they could get and combined for 33 markers that went with 23 boards. “We are really trying to dig deep, to salvage the conference and we’re so lucky that we were able to pull it through tonight,” said Llamados coach Ryan Gregorio. Talk ‘N Text took the lead for the first time in its series with Alaska after scoring an 82-81 victory later in the night for a similar 3-2 edge. Jason Castro may have been the hero of that match, knocking down the marginal points off a strong drive with 23.1 seconds left, but Daniels, whose planed-in replacement continued watching from the sidelines, had his name all over the Tropang Texters’ victory. Not only did he match Castro’s team-leading 18 points, he played a huge role in the last two defensive stops that foiled Alaska’s bid to turn the game around in the dying seconds. Potential replacement Omar Sneed is likely to watch Game 6 from the sidelines anew. Daniels also had 17 rebounds and four steals as the Texters won a game it dedicated to Teresita P. Vargas, the departed mother of PBA board representative Ricky Vargas. Diamon Simpson, who missed Alaska’s last chance at winning at the buzzer, paced the Aces with 25 points and 23 boards. Derby Ace is actually the latest of just two teams that were able to come back from 1-3 deficits to win a best-of-seven series, but Gregorio reminded everyone that they are not here to rewrite pieces of history. “We’re here to play another game and hopefully stay alive.” James Yap was held below twin digits for the first time this conference, but his final basket—a triple with 8:16 to go—knotted the count for the final time at 71 and capped a long uphill battle for the Llamados, who played catch-up all night. San Miguel actually regained the upperhand right in the next play and was 77-76 up with 3:53 to go after a Jay Washington basket before Washam hit seven unanswered points—the first five coming from the stripe—that opened up an 83-77 lead. The scores: First Game DERBY ACE 88—Washam 28,Pingris 17, Reavis 16, Artadi 10, Yap J. 7, Simon 5, Yap R. 3, Canaleta 2, Maierhofer 0, Adducul 0, Allado 0. SAN MIGUEL 82—Freeman 18, Yeo 14, Santos 14, Washington 14, Hontiveros 7, Racela 5, Villanueva 4, Cabagnot 4, Ildefonso 2, Tugade 0, Pena 0. Quarters: 23-18, 44-43, 64-64, 88-82 Second Game TALK ‘N TEXT 82—Castro 18, Daniels 18, Alapag 14, De Ocampo 13, Williams 10, Carey 5, Dillinger 2, Quinahan 2, Yee 0, Cardona 0. ALASKA 81—Simpson 25, Tenorio 15, Dela Cruz 12, Hugnatan 7, Baguio 6, De Vance 5, Fonacier 5, Borboran 2, Eman 2, Cariaso 2, Thoss 0, Robinson 0. Quarters: 22-18, 39-37, 57-63, 82-81
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