Even with injured ace guard Alex Cabagnot seeing action in just a few minutes, the Boosters played steady all night and bundled out the Bolts, 80-64, to earn the right to battle the Texters in a best-of-seven semis showdown starting Jan. 5.
The semifinals begin Jan. 4 with the Game One of the Rain or Shine-Powerade confrontation.
Petron and Talk n Text figures in another playoff showdown following two finals meetings last season.
Though swept by the Texters in two games in the elimination round, Agustin said he loves their chance to survive the semis.
“Dehado kami dahil kumpleto na sila samantalang pilay pa rin kami. Pero gusto ko ang laban namin,” said Agustin.
“It will be a question of will and determination. The team who wants it more gets it,” Agustin added.
Chris Lutz topscored with 22 points while Arwind Santos chipped in 18 points and Joseph Yeo added 13 points and 11 rebounds as the Boosters booted the Bolts out.
“Maganda ang game plan namin and the guys stuck with it. They were aggressive from the get-go to the finish,” said Agustin.
The Boosters pummeled the Bolts, 30-17, in the first quarter and sustained the heat to win the game convincingly.
Denok Miranda, playing extended minutes with Cabagnot hurt, delivered all-around numbers of 12 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Cabagnot played only for three minutes, missing one attempt and committing one turnover.
The entire Petron team, however, stepped up, leading by as many as 18 points in the lopsided contest.
Mark Cardona and Gabby Espinas fuelled a Meralco charge in the second half but the best they could do was carried the Bolts to within six at 52-58.
Clutch baskets by Santos, Miranda and Lutz reestablished a commanding spread for Petron. (SB)
The scores:
PETRON 80 - Lutz 21, Santos 18, Yeo 13, Miranda 12, Baclao 6, Reyes 6, Tugade 2, Ildefonso 2, Doruelo 0, Agustin 0, Cabagnot 0.
MERALCO 64 - Espinas 20, Cardona 10, Mercado 9, Macapagal 7, Taulava 7, Isip 4, Timberlake 2, Borboran 2, Omolon 2, Ross 1, Ballesteros 0, Lanete 0, Hugnatan 0.
Quarters: 30-17, 46-32, 58-49, 80-64
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