BIG WINDUP GIVES PETRON 4TH STRAIGHT ‘W’, SOLO LEAD
Winding up with a flurry, Petron Blaze shoved aside San Mig Coffee, 89-83, to gain solo lead halfway through its ride in the elimination round of the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday night.
Elijah Millsap, Ronald Tubid, Chris Lutz and Junmar Fajardo worked on a 17-12 closing romp as the Boosters hit the midpoint of their elims stint at 4-1.
Millsap, Tubid and Lutz outgunned James Yap and his teammates at the finish, thus, handing the Mixers a third loss against a lone win.
Coach Gie Abanilla and his troops have remained spotless since making turnaround from their losing conference debut against the Meralco Bolts.
They’re in strong contention for the Top Four, precious seedings that will enjoy twice-to-beat advantage over the next four in the quarterfinals round.
“Our mindset was to protect our spot on top. It’s important for us to be in the Top Four going to the playoffs,” said Abanilla.
“It was close all the way. I have to give it to Tubid for playing tough defense in the fourth, Chris Lutz getting the rebounds, Junmar for his enormous presence and Millsap doing just everything,” Abanilla also said.
These Petron quartet did their jobs, keying the Boosters’ decisive run from a slim 75-74 lead.
“We peaked at the right time,” said Abanilla.
Millsap fired a triple, Lutz nailed two charities, Fajardo struck underneath then Tubid banged in a jumper as the Boosters raced away, 84-74, entering the last three minutes of play.
They then made good use of the clock to clinch their fourth win following earlier victories over the Barangay Ginebra Kings, the Air21 Express and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Millsap topscored with 31 points with Lutz and Tubid finishing with 10 each and Fajardo winding up with eight.
The Mixers established control in the third, 65-57.
But it proved to be a brief fling with Chico Lanete sparking a run that pushed the Boosters ahead, 66-65, going into the final canto.
Laneta sneaked in with a layup then converted a triple to douse cold water on the Mixers’ breakaway attempt. (SB)
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