The Thunder erected an 18-point bulge, 73-55, in the third quarter but flirted with disaster before completing the win that boosted their title-retention bid in the mid-season tournament.
Talk N Text was gunning for the second berth against Alaska Milk at presstime.
"We controlled the second half but got complacent. The good thing was we kept our poise towards the end. And it’s a tribute to the poise and composure of Julius (Nwosu) and Davonn (Harp), they made their pressure-laden free throws," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.
"The pressure in this game was on our side. They’re coming off big win and had the momentum on their side. But we’re out to restore our pride. We’re determined to regain the respect of our fans after that embarrassing loss in Game Three," Guiao added.
Springing back from a 68-102 blowout Wednesday, the Thunder beat the Beermen, three games to one, in their best of five semis showdown. Red Bull also defeated San Miguel in the finals last year.
"Beating San Miguel three games to one is already a big achievement for us. This win will give us a good feeling going into the finals. We’ll have a good feeling kahit sino ang kalaban namin," said Guiao.
The Beermen gave the Thunder scary moments on a searing rally in the fourth quarter.
With Terquinn Mott urging his teammates to fight back, shouting "I’m not yet ready to go home," the Beermen unleashed a big comeback that moved the team within a point at 80-81 with 41.6 seconds left to play.
The Beermen had a chance to surge ahead but Dwight Lago missed a three-point attempt from the left quartercourt with time down to 16 seconds.
Mott took the offensive rebound but Nwosu deflected the ball and later went to the stripe on a desperate foul by Arnold Gamboa.
Nwosu sank his two charities, staking Red Bull to an 83-80 lead.
And after Shea Seals muffed a desperation three-point try, Harp, fouled by Boybits Victoria, sealed the win with his own two charities.
The Beermen and the Thunder again figured in a highly-emotion duel marred by a double-technical foul given to Mott and Harp late in the third quarter.