Mac Mac Cardona connected a triple in the crucial stretch to lift Talk ‘N Text past San Miguel Beer via overtime, 116-115, Sunday and clinched the first finals slot in the 34th Philippine Basketball Association-KFC Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Cardona, who finished with seven triples in the match, got away from the tight guarding of Dondon Hontiveros to score the marginal goal that ended the best-of-seven semifinal series, 4-2.
Talk ‘N Text, who have only the 2003 All-Filipino Cup and 2008 Centennial Cup to speak of, reached the finals for the 7th time since joining the league in 1990.
“I just told them to play with their best and play with their hearts. It was exactly a year ago at a little restaurant in Greenhills, I told them in just one year, I will lead this team into the finals. And it happened now,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes.
The Tropang Texters were leading by as much as 17 points, 77-60, courtesy of Jimmy Alapag’s four straight triples with still 7:08 left in the third period.
But the Beermen came back on time behind Marc Pingres, Danny Seigle and Hontiveros’ fiery 14-2 run to grab the lead, 105-103, with only 2:03 remaining.
Despite losing 6’8” Yancy de Ocampo, who is serving a one-game suspension, the Tropang Texters dominated the match three-fourth of the way, thanks to Cardona, Alapag and Dillinger, who combined for 75 points, which is more than half of their total production.
Coach Reyes also lost Ranidel de Ocampo, who was thrown out of the game after committing a flagrant foul-two on Lordy Tigade still 7:02 left in the second period.
And even as Dellinger committed his sixth foul with 2:56 remaining, the Trpopang Texters played with enough confidence by outscoring the 17-time titlist Beermen in the overtime period.
The Tropang Texters will face the winner of the match between Alaska and defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty.
The 6’2” Cardona scored a game-high 34 points, while Alapag settled with 27 and 14 from Dillinger.
Danny Seigle topscored for the Beermen with 32 points.
according to: http://www.yehey.com/sports/full_article.aspx?id=233278&categ=6
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