Ginebra survives Talk ‘N Text in Game 4

Game today

Araneta Coliseum

6 p.m.- Alaska vs. San Mig

Not really known as a huge scorer, Vernon Macklin nearly matched his explosive counterpart to lead the Barangay Ginebra Kings to a gut-wrenching 104-101 win over the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters last night in Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinal series of the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Macklin scattered 37 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Kings once again displayed their never-say-die attitude to tie the series at 2-2 and force a rubbermatch.

The two squads will meet for one last time on Sunday with the victor clinching a finals ticket.

Tony Mitchell of the Texters followed up his impressive debut with yet another explosive performance, tallying a game-high 45 points in a magnificent display of arsenal.

Mackling, however, had the last laugh, delivering the points that mattered most as Mitchell sputtered in the homestretch.

Macklin scored in the paint to break a 97-all deadlock in the final 2:47 and after the two teams traded turnovers. Mitchel knotted the score at 99-apiece via two free throws with 1:07 to go.

After a Ginebra defensive stop, Macklin leaked out and got a perfect pass from L.A. Tenorio to complete a two-handed slam, putting Ginebra on top, 101-99, with 54.4 ticks left.

Mitchell missed a runner in the next play and Tenorio made it a 103-99 Ginebra lead by sinking two gift shots, 14.3 ticks to go.

Mitchel again couldn’t deliver in the next play, missing a point-blank layup in the final 6.4 seconds.

Ryan Reyes scored on a putbackto push Talk ‘N Text within 101-103 in the final 2.9 seconds before Kerby Raymundo pegged the final tally with a split freethrow.