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.
Article continues after this advertisementTony 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.
Article continues after this advertisementMackling, 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.
