With baited breath, the Powerade Tigers watched Jimmy Alapag launch a shot from the three-point arc.
Alapag’s attempt looked good but the ball rimmed out, allowing the Tigers to escape with a close, 100-97 win over Talk ‘N Text last night in Game 4 of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup Finas best-of-seven series at the Araneta Coliseum.
Powerade, thus, stayed alive but still faces an arduous task as the victory just sliced their series deficit to 1-3.
But the Tigers avoided what could have been an embarrassing sweep and stalled the Texters’ bid of retaining their All-Filipino crown—a feat that no team has ever done in 27 years.
No team has ever come back from a 0-3 hole, putting the Texters still in a good position of winning the series.
But the Tigers could not be discounted yet of achieving their own feat. They already completed some sort of history when they became the lowest seed to advance to the Finals.
Gary David, who was adjudged the Best Player of the Conference, once again flaunted his deadly offensive skills as he erupted for 35 points.
With their backs against the wall, the Tigers played with a sense of urgency and their efforts paid off when they erected a 92-81 lead in the final 6:07.
Entering the final two minutes, the Tigers were still ahead, 97-90, but Larry Fonacier single-handedly brought the Texters back into the game with his outside sniping.
After a split free throw, Fonacier nailed a three-pointer that the Powerade’s lead to three, 94-97, with 1:03 left.
Powerade turned the ball over in the next play and Fonacier hit another trifecta that tied the contest at 99-all with 1:03 left.
Sean Anthony, who scored 19 points, put the Tigers back in front with crucial jumpshot.
Jayson Castro had the chance to tie the contest but missed two gift shots and David made it a three-point game with a split free throw in the final 14.6.
Castro misfired a triple in the next play, but the Texters got another chance when Anthony lost control of the ball, paving the way for Alapag’s shot.