Beats San Mig to send Finals Series to deciding Game 7
Just when everybody thought they were just moments away from clinching the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup title, the San Mig Coffee Mixers fell apart, allowing the Petron Boosters to escape and send the game into what could be a heart-stopping Game Seven.
Petron pounced on San Mig’s erratic finish to eke out a 99-88 win last night in Game Six of the Best-of-Seven Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Coffee Mixers rallied from a 16-point third quarter deficit, stole the lead in the fourth period only to crumble in the closing minutes as the two teams go for all the marbles this Friday.
Hobbled by a hurting foot, Elijah Millsap willed the Boosters to the victory by firing 13 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth period. He scored nine straight points in a critical stretch in the payoff period that bailed the Boosters out of danger.
Petron’s biggest lead stood at 59-43 early in the third but San Mig staged a 16-2 run to move within 59-61. Petron weathered the storm and restored a double-digit spread, 74-63, heading to the fourth.
The Coffee Mixers kept coming back and behind the combined efforts of Peter June Simon, Joe Devance and Marc Pingris, finally wiped out Petron’s lead, grabbing the upper-hand for the first time, 82-80, since taking an earl 11-4 edge.
Millsap then took over as San Mig would never lead again after moving in front, 86-85, in the final 5:06.
Millsap scored four straight points, Chriz Luts hit an acrobatic shot in the lane while Alex Cabagnot converted a fastbreak layup, giving the Boosters a 93-86 lead with only two minutes to play.
It was a complete mess for the Mixers in the final five minutes of the game as they missed five of their last attempts while committing four turnovers in their final 10 possessions.
Cebuano center June Fajardo had another productive night for Petron, finishing with 21 points, 14 rebounds three blocks and two assists.
BOX SCORES
PETRON (99)- Millsap 30, Fajardo 21, Santos 12, Cabagnot 12, Lutz 11, Lassiter 7, Tubid 6, Kramer 0, Hubalde 0, Ildefonso 0.
SAN MIG (88)- Blakely 21, Devance 17, Yap 17, Simon 14, Pingris 13, Reavis 4, Mallari 2, Gaco 0, Barroca 0, De Ocampo 0. QUARTERSCORES: 28-19, 52-39, 74-63, 99-88.
