PBA: Beermen rally past Llamados for 2-1 lead

Tit for tat. This time, it was San Miguel’s turn to rally back from a big first half deficit, capping the comeback with a cold-blooded Arwind Santos three-pointer to repulse Derby Ace, 74-70, for a 2-1 lead in their PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals series Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Santos hit the pressure-packed shot in the final 65 seconds to push the Beermen on top for good, 73-70, before hanging tough in the end and bouncing back from a heartbreaking 95-94 loss in Game 2 that saw them lost grip of an 18-point lead.

The Beermen, who trailed by as many as 28-45, highlighted the Game 3 win by limiting the Llamados to only two points in the final 4:45 and shackling top scorer James Yap, who was held without a field goal in the last 14:05. “Give credit to our defense," said San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen. “Talent can go only so far. You have to be able to make stops and give yourself a chance (to win)." The defending champions outscored the Llamados in a grind-it-out fourth quarter, 17-12, but Derby Ace’s 4-of-20 shooting in the period proved to be the big difference. “It was pride which kept us in the game," said Dondon Hontiveros, who topscored with 17 points, including a split from the foul line with 21.7 seconds that sealed the come-from-behind win. “Gabe (Freeman) was mad at halftime. He was yelling inside the dugout, `show some heart'. And that’s what we did in the second half." Santos best typified it, knocking down the go-ahead trey as Freeman, who again was in foul trouble for the second straight game, played decoy and drew the defense on him before finding his wide-open teammate at the right quarter court. Before hitting that huge three-pointer, Santos was 0-for-5 from the same spot. “That’s Arwind for you. He may miss a lot of shots, but remains confident in himself," said Hontiveros of his lanky, power-forward teammate. Tony Washam converted on a step-back jumper at the 1:23 mark to tie the game for the last time at 70. But that proved to be the final stand of Derby Ace. Shortly after Santos’ conversion, the Llamados had several chances to make stride, but Washam bungled a left-handed drive, Roger Yap had a turnover off an inbound play, Chris Timberlake threw a wild shot on a drive and Washam hurled an ill-advised three-point shot that didn’t even hit the rim. Freeman played for only 29 minutes after incurring his fifth foul with 7:34 left to play, but still went away with 14 points and 20 rebounds for the reigning, defending champions, who also got 12 points and eight rebounds from Jay Washington. Washam led Derby Ace with 22 points, but missed missed 19 of his 29 attempts. Worst was James Yap, who finished with 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting. His last field goal came at the 2:05 mark of the third quarter. - RCJ, GMANews.TV