Boosters mute Texters, enter semis

Manila, Philippines - Petron Blaze survived the absence of injured import Jeremy Wise with A-1 games from its top locals, stunning Talk n Text, 101-96, to clinch the first semifinal seat in the PBA Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot came through double-double numbers and Sunday Salvacion had his best output in a Petron uniform with 23 points as the Boosters overcame tough adversity, nailing a fifth win against two losses.

“Without our import, the game remained five-on-five and we stuck with our system. We played well on defense and our offense went along with it,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

“We played physical to match their game and that was also a key,” added Agustin whose troops surged to the top, relegating the Texters to second at 4-2.

Santos put in 25 points and 14 rebounds while Cabagnot logged 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Boosters who matched up well with the Texters though minus an import, leading by as many as 16 points at 63-47 in the third period.

Ronjay Buenafe reenergized Rain or Shine coming off the bench in overtime play and the Elasto Painters survived a final-half meltdown, nosing out the Meralco Bolts, 116-113, in the second game.

“There won’t be too many games like this,” said coach Yeng Guiao of their roller-coaster ride that saw them blow away a 20-point bulge then rally from a six-point deficit in the last 15 seconds of regulation play.

 Buenafe got away with seven points and two steals in overtime as the Elasto Painters salvaged the win that drew them level with the Tropang Texters at 4-2.

Santos, Salvacion and Cabagnot themselves made decisive plays as the Boosters fended off the Texters’ fourth-quarter siege, duplicating Barangay Ginebra’s effort versus Air21 Friday.

The Kings also bucked the absence of import Curtis Stinson as they topped the Express, 89-87, for a third win against two defeats.

Ginebra will still play with an all-Filipino crew as it goes up against B-Meg in a lone game in the same venue today.

Stinson is nursing a bruised right knee while Wise is out for the tourney with a torn meniscus.

Santos played like an import, getting away with a fourth straight double-double game.

The Boosters eventually finished off the Texters on a seven-to-nothing run by Cablay, Santos and Mick Pennisi making it 99-90 with less than a minute left to play.

From a 16-point deficit, the Texters stormed ahead, 88-85, through the efforts of Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jason Castro.

Maurice Baker had little contribution as he went to foul-trouble situation early, sitting out eight long minutes after picking up a fifth foul with 10:44 left to play.

Fonacier bombed away four triples and led the Texters with 21 points.

De Ocampo chipped in 19 points, Ryan Reyes contributed 13 while Baker was good for only 12.