STRONG 3RD QUARTER HELPS WASHINGTON-LED SMB TAKE SEMIS SERIES OPENER

PBA finals

They have been out of sight for a while so the defending champion San Miguel Beermen reminded James Yap and company who they were up against.

SMB delivered the message in the third quarter and Jay Washington made sure the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados got it loud and clear.

Washington was like a man possessed in that telling quarter, going 6-for-12 from the field for 14 points as the defending champions separated from B-Meg Derby Ace on the way to a 101-88 blowout Wednesday at the start of their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Miller Time" as Ginebra Beat the Beermen

PBA finals

After recently acquired by the Gin Kings in exchange for Cyrus Baguio, Willie Miller had his breakthrough game in Ginebra's uniform, erupting for a 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter that pushed the game wide open in the fourth quarter, helping the Ginebra Gin Kings breeze past the league leading San Miguel Beer, 104-90. The win halt the Beermen's winning streak to 9 games, thus, extending the Gin Kings streak to 4 games. They have an 8-4 win-loss card to claim solo third in the standings.

Alaska Aces and Talk N Text Finals Preview

PBA finals

Game 7 Talk N Text vs Alaska 93 - 89 Talk N Text Won (Talk N Text clinch series 4-3)
Game 6 Alaska vs. Talk N Text 94 - 99 Talk N Text Won (Series tied 3-3)
Game 5 Talk N Text vs. Alaska 93 - 95 Alaska Won (Alaska leads series 3-2)
Game 4 Alaska vs. Talk N Text 98 - 100 Talk N Text Won (Series tied 2-2)
Game 3 Talk N Text vs. Alaska 92 - 73 Talk N Text Won (Alaska leads series 2-1)
Game 2 Alaska vs. Talk N Text 100 - 91 Alaska Won (Alaska leads series 2-0)
Game 1 Talk N Text vs. Alaska 95 - 102 Alaska Won (Alaska leads series 1-0)

Talk N Text - The Philippine Cup Champions

PBA finals

The Talk N Text Tropang Texters are the new Philippine Cup Champions as they outlasted the gritty and determined Alaska Aces. After a 6 year drought, the Tropang Texters bagged its second title in an All-Filipino Cup after the 2003 All FIlipino Cup title..Mac Cardona made another huge game..while rookie sensation Jason Castro has also made an important contribution with the team,, making 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, together with 2 steals.

After trailing mostly in the game, the last time 63-76, the Alaska Aces made a huge comeback with Reynel Hugnatan-led Aces by scoring 13 of his 17 points in that span highlighted by the three point play of Joe Devance, able to tie it 84 all. Two more deadlocks ensued after that, the last at 89 on a Ranidel de Ocampo short stab, before Harvey Carey's baseline jumper gave TNT the lead for good at 91-89. Then, the Best Player of the Conference Willie Miller shooting for two free throws. The Best Player muffed the two important free throws, but that could be the blessing in disguised, as they force a turnover in the ensuing play.But Willie Miller missed a tight drive in the next play. Then Jimmy Alapag canned the two free throws. Then the celebration began..