Cabagnot lifts Petron Blaze to within a win

MANILA, Philippines - Alex Cabagnot spiked an offensive comeback with two four-point plays and fuelled Petron Blaze’s decisive finish over Meralco, 91-84, in Game One of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinals showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Cabagnot, who shot only four points in the first three quarters, came through with 10 points in the last eight minutes, including the rare back-to-back four-point plays that sparked a decisive run and gave the Boosters the crucial headstart in the short series.

The Boosters, seeking a follow-up to their Governors Cup championship, will arrange a best-of-seven semifinals showdown with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters with a win either Wednesday or Friday.

The Bolts need to win two in a row to salvage a semis seat.

“One-zero is a big advantage in a short series. This win is a huge confidence-builder, something you’ll carry over to the next game,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

Arwind Santos and the returning Chris Lutz carried the cudgels for Petron early on before Cabagnot took over in his key matchup with Sol Mercado.

“I kept my composure and just kept on playing,” said Cabagnot as the factor allowing him to steal the thunder after being showed up by Mercado in the first three quarters of play.

The count was tied at 68 when Cabagnot got away with the jaw-dropping back-to-back four-point plays, fuelling Petron’s stirring fourth-quarter charge.

Cabagnot also dished out an assist that had Rob Reyes knocking in a baseline jumper as Petron opened a double-digit spread at 78-68 with 5:51 left.

The Boosters led by as many as 13, 60-47, earlier but the Bolts fought back and stood just within three, 60-63, going into the payoff period.

Santos led all scorers with 19 points and also collared 12 rebounds while Lutz, returning from a five-game layoff, contributed 18 markers and three boards.

Mercado knocked in four triples and wound up with 18 points, six assists and five rebounds while backcourt tandem Macmac Cardona chipped in 12 points, five steals, three assists and one rebound.

Rain or Shine showed its own never-say-die spirit against the never-say-die Barangay Ginebra team, coming from behind to pull off a 112-105 win in overtime in Game One of their own best-of-three quarterfinal series.

JR Quinahan and Paul Lee combined for 29 points in the payoff period, starring in RoS’s mighty charge from a 17-point deficit.

“We came back from the jaws of hell. We thought it’s a lost game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.