Coffee Mixers lose 28-point lead but manage to hold on to series-tying victory

The San Mig Coffee Mixers lost what seemed like an insurmountable 28-point lead but recovered in time to escape with a series-tying 88-86 win over the hard-fighting Petron Blaze Boosters last night in Game Four of the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup Best-of-Seven Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Boosters put up a valiant effort as they clawed back from 28 points down and seemed headed for a great comeback win only to crumble in the endgame, allowing the Coffee Mixers to survive and tie the series at two games apiece.

Petron couldn’t complete the fightback when Arwind Santos committed two blunders on a night he received his first-ever Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy.

San Mig led by as many as 28 points and even took a big 23-point bubble, 52-29, going into the final half. The Boosters, however, came out firing in the third where import Elijah Millsap scored 18 of his 33 points and moved within 63-67 with one quarter to play.

Petron remained relentless in the fourth until they finally stole the lead, 77-73, in the final 6:25.

San Mig regrouped to retake the lead, 82-79 with 2:37 to play.

Still, the Boosters had their chances. Tied at 83-all, they had the chance to surged ahead but Santos missed a mid-range jumper.

In the next play, Mark Barroca handed the lead back to San Mig, 85-83, by sinking two free throws with 21.9 seconds left.

After his missed jumper, Santos committed a crucial turnover in the next possession after throwing an errant pass in an inbounds play.

Petron last threatened at 86-87 with 11.2 seconds left when Millsap completed a three-point play.

Alex Mallari converted one of two free throws with 3.2 seconds left as Marcio Lassiter, with Petron having no timeout left, was forced to launch a desperation shot from beyond halfcourt as time expired.

Meanwhile, Calvin Abueva was named Rookie of the Year to join Santos as the biggest individual winners in the Leo Awards.

Abueva and Santos comprised the Mythical Five along with Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo.

Air21’s KG Canaleta won the Most Improved player award, while Alaska’s Jvee Casio won his second straight Sportsmanship Award.