James Yap showed the way for B-Meg with 23 points. Devance had 18, Pingris 16 and import Myron Allen added 15 for the Llamados, who finished their campaign with a 5-8 mark

Sunday Salvacion hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 72 seconds remaining then Arwind Santos made a key stop in the next play as Petron Blaze held off B-Meg 97-92 Wednesday in a crucial semifinal match that kept the Boosters in the hunt for final spot in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Anthony Grundy tallied 29 points and Santos scored 13 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to lead a strong charge by the Boosters down the stretch.

Petron Blaze put away the Llamados with an 8-2 closing run and improved to 7-5 (win-loss) record.

“We need this win so badly. Ngayon may tsansa pa kami mag-Finals,” said Petron head coach Ato Agustin.

The Boosters have one more assignment left in the semifinals against grandslam-seeking and early finalist Talk ‘N Text (9-3) on Friday.

As things stand, the Boosters are hard-pressed to win that match to have a possible shot for the second Finals berth.

All possibilities considered, Petron will advance to the best-of-seven titular series if it figures into a three-way tie with Barangay Ginebra and Alaska (provided the Aces win its game against Rain or Shine) or winds up tied with the Kings at the end of the semifinal round.

Agustin said they will prepare hard for their game against Talk 'N Text.

“We will watch the game tape of our encounters in the first conference and see what adjustments have to be made,” said Agustin whose team beat the Tropang Texters 101-96 last July 9.

Alex Cabagnot, who sat out against B-Meg because of a swollen index finger in his right hand, will be suiting up on Friday, Agustin assured.

But rookie big man Rabeh Al-Hussaini is a doubtful starter.

Al-Hussaini slipped and hurt his right knee while working against Marc Pingris with a minute to go in the second quarter. He was carried out of the court and didn’t return to the game. Team officials suspect an ACL injury which they hope will not be proven as true by an MRI exam today.

B-Meg held a 90-89 lead after Joe Devance scored on a reverse lay-up with 1:23 remaining.

But Salvacion (14 points) knocked a three in the next play before Santos (who also had 13 rebounds for a double-double) blocked a driving James Yap on B-Meg’s possession. That defensive stop led to two free throws by Danny Ildefonso and the Llamados didn’t threaten again.

James Yap showed the way for B-Meg with 23 points. Devance had 18, Pingris 16 and import Myron Allen added 15 for the Llamados, who finished their campaign with a 5-8 mark. (DBC)

The scores:

PETRON BLAZR 97 - Grundy 29, Santos 22, Salvacion 14, Ildefonso 14, Miranda 12, Al-Hussaini 4, Baclao 2, Duncil 0, Hubalde 0, Pennisi 0.

B-MEG 92 - Yap J. 23, Devance 18, Pingris 16, Allen 15, Urbiztondo 10, Allado 8, Reavis 2, Gaco 0, Fernandez 0, Adducul 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15, 46-41, 65-66, 97-92

Source : pba.com.ph