Petron loses steam in extension period, falls against Talk ‘N Text
Games today
Araneta Coliseum
5:45 p.m.- Air21 vs. Globalport
8:00 p.m.- Alaska vs. San Mig Coffee
The Petron Blaze Boosters couldn’t protect what seemed like a safe lead in the final 37 seconds of regulation and things turned for the worse when they failed to score a single point in the overtime period, allowing the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to escape with a 93-85 win last night in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
With its endgame meltdown, Petron now owns the infamous distinction of being the first team to fail to score a solitary point in an overtime period.
Jimmy Alapag came up big in the dying seconds, coming up with a big triple in the final 2.7 seconds of regulation that forced an extra five-minute session.
Petron looked headed for the win when Marcio Lassiter sank a triple and Alex Cabagnot hit a one-handed floater as Petron broke a 79-all standoff and took a five-point lead with 1:31 left to play. A split free throw by Cabagnot gave Petron a six points lead, 85-79, with only 37.1 seconds remaining.
Ranidel de Ocampo brought Talk ‘N Text within three after he hit a triple before the Texters got huge a break after Arwind Santos bungled two free throws a second later.
Petron forced a jump ball in the next play but the Texters won the tip.
Talk ‘N Text scrambled to find a decent look until Alapag got a clear shot at the basket, faking off Cabagnot before swishing a game-tying triple from the top of the key.
Talk ‘N Text got the ball back after Ronald Tubid’s inbound pass to June Mar Fajardo went out of bounds with 1.4 seconds left.
Talk ‘N Text import Donnel Harvey barely missed his long heave from the other court, sending the contest to overtime.
With momentum on its side, Talk ‘N Text stepped up its offensive juggernaut in the extension period while pouncing on Petron’s offensive struggle.
Harvey finished with 38 points and 17 rebounds as the Texters moved up to solo fourth place with a 5-4 (win-loss) card.
Import Rodney White marked his debut for Petron on a sour note as he managed just 12 points on dismal five-for-17 shooting from the field.
The loss prevented the Boosters from tying the Alaska Aces at the top and instead fell to a two-tie at second place with the Rain or Shine Elasto with their third loss in nine outings.
Meanwhile, Alaska tries to solidify its hold of the top spot when the Aces, minus JV Casio, battle San Mig Coffee today also at the Big Dome.
In the first game, Air21 shoots for a fourth straight win against Globalport in the 5:45 p.m. game.
