Sizzling semifinals opening, Blakely leads San Mig Coffee to gain one game advantage against Talk N Text

Photo taken from Interaktv

Forty eight minutes of action was not enough as San Mig Coffee defeated Talk N Text, 92-88 in overtime as the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup semifinals series started on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Defense is the name of the game, as the Mixers held the Tropang Texters into just 12 points in the fourth quarter and extended the game in overtime by a crucial trey hit by Allein Maliksi as he took over in absence of James Yap in the fourth.

Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo piloted Texters with 24 and 19 buckets apiece with a late help from their import Paul Harris with his tournament low - 17 points.

Marc Pingris and Mark Barroca both hit timely shots as the Mixers started to pull away in the overtime.

But, the Reigning Best Import, Marqus Blakely was still the one who made the biggest contributions with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks to put San Mig Coffee one game ahead in this semifinals series.   

Honorable Mentions:

Melton, Sangalang and Mallari once again provided energy on both ends of the court and was able to give quality minutes off the bench.

* Texters was held into a 36.4% 3-pt FG and 36.2% 2-pt FG shooting against to a 41.7% and 46% of the Mixers

* Pj Simon was still absent due to back spasms

*James Yap also hurt his foot and had to sit out in 4th quarter 

The scores:

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 92 – Blakely 20, Yap 13, Barroca 11, Maliksi 10, Pingris 10, Devance 9, Sangalang 9, Mallari 6, Melton 4, Reavis 0.

TALK N’ TEXT 88 – Castro 24, De Ocampo 19, Harris 17, Williams 9, Alapag 5, Fonacier 4, Baclao 4, Reyes 3, Canaleta 3, Carey 0.

Quarters: 18-22, 39-40, 62-65, 77-77, 92-88