Bmeg Pummels Petron In Semis

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Instead of talking to the media, B-MEG coach Tim Cone ushered his coaching staff to do the post-game interview after the Llamados picked up their second straight win in the semifinals of the Governors’ Cup.

Despite Cone’s ejection in the second quarter, B-MEG rallied to defeat Petron, 104-93, Wednesday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

“These guys won the game for us. Now I can retire and allow this group to take over my place,” said Cone in a jest before leaving the room.

The Llamados were down by 19 points with 1:43 left in the second quarter when the American coach was called for his second technical foul, leading to his ejection. Jeffrey Cariaso, a neophyte assistant coach and a longtime Cone disciple as a player, called the shots for the Llamados.
But the 1995 Rookie of the Year said the whole staff, which also includes Richard del Rosario, Johnny Abarrientos, and Koy Banal, deserved credit.

“Everyone knows you’re dreaming of this opportunity (to coach a game) and all of us were communicating at the sidelines and that’s the reason why we’re all here,” said Cariaso.
Cone’s ejection sparked the Llamados, who scored six straight points to end the second quarter.
“We had a mini-run in the final minute of the second period. We didn’t change our game plan. Pero nadala namin sa second half yung momentum of that run,” said Banal.

Abarrientos said the team merely tried to keep the game close in the second half.
“I told them six stops lang yan, try natin kung kaya natin lumamang,” he said. “Marqus was a key for us. Hindi kasi siya napapagod.”

Blakely finished with 35 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, when the Llamados outscored the Boosters, 37-19. He made one spectacular play after another, including a thunderous slam similar a monster tomahawk jam a la Julius Ervin, that gave B-MEG a 96-89 with 3:06 left in the game.
The B-MEG reinforcement, a strong candidate for the Best Import award, also had 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocks.

The Llamados improved their win-loss record to 8-3, keeping within striking distance of first place Rain or Shine. Defending champion Petron collapsed for the second straight game to drop to fifth place with just two games remaining. With the 4-of-5 incentive out of its reach, the Boosters need to hope that none of B-MEG, Ginebra, and Talk ‘N Text win more than eight games.
The scores:

B-MEG (104) – Blakely 35, Yap 20, Pingris 18, Simon 10, Villanueva 8, Reavis 4, De Ocampo 4, Urbiztondo 3, Barroca 2.

Petron (93) – Cabagnot 22, Washington 15, Santos 14, Ildefonso 14, Faison 12, Lutz 6, Hontiveros 5, Yeo 2, Miranda 2, Pena 1.
Quarters: 19-32, 44-57, 67-74, 104-93

http://www.interaksyon.com/