PBA: Petron gets revenge on San Mig Coffee in Governors' Cup Finals rematch

(Updated 10:32am) The Petron Blaze Boosters flipped the script in the rematch of the 2013 Governor's Cup Finals by trouncing the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers for a third straight win, 91-78, in the 2013-2014 PBA Philippine Cup, Wednesday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The two sides are going in separate directions, with the Boosters improving to 3-0, while the Mixers slumped to 0-3. The Mixers did start the Governors' Cup 0-2, but injuries to key players like Joe Devance, PJ Simon, and rookie Justin Melton have dug a deep hole for SMC.

However, it's not as if Petron is unscathed either. Starting point guard Chris Ross recently joined Yousef Taha, Alex Cabagnot and Ronald Tubid on the injured list after hurting his hamstring in Petron's last outing. The Boosters also tapped former UP Fighting Maroon Sam Marata to shore up their backcourt, and while he dressed in today's game, he didn't play.

"With the lack of preparation and all the injuries we've had, we're very lucky to be in this situation right now," said Petron head coach Gee Abanilla of their current streak.

June Mar Fajardo had a huge night with 21 points, 25 rebounds and four blocks to fuel Petron's victory. Arwin Santos also registered a double-double with 17 points and 15 boards. Chris Lutz tallied 15 points and 13 assists, though he also committed nine turnovers. Marcio Lassiter added 15 points.

"We're just very happy we didn't hurt anyone. I think [point guard] Chico Lanete gave us a lift, although he's not 100 percent," said Abanilla. "All the guys, especially Junemar, was a post presence tonight. We played inside-out and it opened looks for our shooters."

With June Mar Fajardo leading the way in the first quarter, Petron looked to attack inside and secured an 11-6 lead. But on the other end of the floor, Mark Barroca was a disruptive force in the passing lanes, creating turnovers feeding into the Mixers' transition attack. Barroca paced San Mig Coffee with seven points in a 14-2 counterpunch, 20-13.

Despite multiple offensive rebounds, the Boosters had just two field goals in the last six minutes as a result of San Mig Coffee's suffocating defense, and trailed 22-17 after the first period.

With Fajardo on the bench, it was open season at the rim for the Mixers, as an Alex Mallari lay-up lifted them to a 28-21 lead. However, the seven-footer made an impact when he returned to the floor. The Mixers lost the fluidity they previously displayed on both ends, while Fajardo dropped eight markers during a 14-0 Petron run, 33-28.

Split charities by Ian Sangalang with three minutes left gave the Mixers their first points since 8:53 in the quarter. Petron though flipped the first quarter script on San Mig Coffee, as Paolo Hubalde, Arwind Santos and Chris Lutz made consecutive triples to cast a 44-34 halftime lead.

San Mig Coffee made just 4-of-26 (15.4 percent) of their field goals in the second quarter, and fell to 12-of-41 (29.3 percent) at the half. Petron shot an excellent 19-of-37 (51.4 percent).


After the break, Barroca and Marc Pingris took turns attacking the basket during a 10-2 run that set Petron on their heels, 45-44. The Boosters called for time with barely two minutes gone, and proceeded to attack the rim relentlessly. San Mig Coffee kept in step with Petron, with Pingris responding to Lutz's attacks. However, incomplete and-ones by the Mixers, plus penalty charities for Petron, helped tip the balance towards the latter's favor, 67-59, heading into the final period.

In the fourth quarter, Petron kept their distance and never led by less than five points. JR Cawaling was on fire from the perimeter and scored 10 markers, including a pair of triples, to keep the Mixers in the hunt. However, San Mig Coffee didn't have much left in the tank. Petron had an answer at every turn in the form of a Lassiter trey or a power move by Fajardo, who banged home an and-one with four minutes to play, 81-71.

Petron finished the game with a 35-of-69 (50.7 percent) mark from the field, while San Mig Coffee was limited to 28-of-77 (36.4 percent). The Boosters also led in rebounds (55-44) and assists (24-12), though the Mixers had an edge in turnover points (17-6).

Mark Barroca paced the Mixers with 20 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Marc Pingris supplied 16 points and nine rebounds, while JR Cawaling scored 15 points, with 13 coming in the fourth quarter. Rookie Ian Sangalang had another solid outing with 12 points and nine rebounds. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Petron 91 - Fajardo 21, Santos 17, Lassiter 15, Lutz 14, Hubalde 9, Lanete 7, Duncil 4, Kramer 4, Deutchman 0

San Mig Coffee 78 - Barroca 20, Pingris 16, Cawaling 15, Sangalang 12, Yap 5, Mallari 4, Reavis 4, Holstein 2, De Ocampo 0, Acuna 0

Quarter scoring: 17-22, 44-34, 67-59, 91-78