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Petron rolls on, boots out Barangay Ginebra

Petron's Alex Cabagnot being guarded by Ginebra's LA Tenorio. (Nuki Sabio/PBA Images)

Petron Blaze flirted with disaster but still had enough gas in the stretch to hold off stubborn Barangay Ginebra Thursday night.

The top-seeded Boosters nearly squandered a hefty 25-point lead but leaned on their superior firepower to eliminate the late-charging Gin Kings, 101-94, and book their ticket in the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Hardly showing any kind of rust from an 11-day break, Petron Blaze seized control and led by as many as 25 points twice, the last at 74-49 in the third canto, but was still stretched to its limit by the “never-say-die” Ginebra squad, the lowest ranked squad at the quarterfinals at eighth spot.

Good thing, the team’s usual reliables–Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, June Mar Fajarado and import Elijah Millsap–conspired in a blinding 10-4 finishing kick that stretched the Boosters’ winning streak to nine games.

The thrilling victory also sets up Petron for a big semifinals clash with fourth-ranked Rain or Shine, which carved out a 108-106 win over GlobalPort earlier.

Import Elijah Millsap churned out another awe-inspiring triple-double performance of 22 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds while four other locals scattered at least 11 points in another balanced offensive display by the Boosters.

Going down the drain with the Gin Kings’ setback was the 51-point output combined by import Dior Lowhorn and heady guard LA Tenorio, who teamed up in the big second half fightback highlighted by a 15-0 run in the third.

Making matters worse for Ginebra was the abrupt absence of reigning league MVP Mark Caguioa, who appeared to have suffered a medial collateral ligament injury on his right knee following a bad slip in the second canto. He didn’t return.
 
The Main Man: Arwind Santos is not called as “The Spiderman” for nothing.

With Petron teetering on the brink of a monumental meltdown, the lanky forward rose to the occasion, banging in five of his 17 points in the fourth while serving as one of the anchors in the team’s decisive windup.
 
Honorable Mention: Elijah Millsap filled up the stats sheet anew with yet another all-around outing of 22 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds highlighted by 16 straight made free throws.

Also giving the Boosters a big help anew was Marcio Lassiter who only had 11 points but still drilled in a dagger of a triple that kept the Gin Kings at bay in the crunch.
 
Game Turning Point: After a dunk by import Dior Lowhorn off a Josh Urbiztondo feed pulled Ginebra to within a solitary point, Petron stayed composed and a huge triple by Marcio Lassiter ignited a decisive nine-to-nothing run that restored order for a 100-90 cushion going to the last four minutes.

A counter trey by Urbiztondo kept the Gin Kings’ hopes alive but they eventually faded in the face of the Boosters’ defensive pressure.
 
They Said It:
 
Petron Blaze coach Gee Abanilla: “We are very happy about this win. I think we just got lucky we played a very tired Ginebra team. They won’t give up and they showed that in the second quarter. Our team stayed focused. Our immediate goal was accomplished which is to make it to the semis. Our focus now is to improve ourselves individually and as a team. Hats off to coach Ato (Agustin) and LA (Tenorio). We got to prepare for them (Rain or Shine). They are a well-coached team. We have our work cut out for us. We got outhustled in the 50-50 balls especially when we had that lead and we had to sustain our energy. I have learned a lot from coach Yeng. His leadership skills are very high. I admire that from him and going against this guy in the semis is a challenge. Excited lang rin.”
 
Petron Blaze forward Arwind Santos: “Hindi kami kinalawang. Nilaro namin ‘yung talagang laro namin. Siguro nasobrahan lang ‘yung pag-alaga sa lamang kaya nakahabol sila. Buti hindi kami bumitaw.”
 
 
The scores:
 
Petron (101) – Millsap 22, Fajardo 20, Santos 17, Cabagnot 12, Lassiter 11, Lanete 8, Kramer 8, Lutz 3, Tubid 0, Ildefonso 0.

Ginebra (94) – Lowhorn 31, Tenorio 20, Urbiztondo 14, Baracael 11, Helterbrand 6, Mamaril 4, Caguioa 4, Ellis 2, Maierhofer 2, Ababou 0, Wilson 0, Raymundo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-25, 58-42, 83-69, 101-94.