Take 2: Petron faces PHL Cup titlist Talk 'N Text in semis

The stakes may not be that great, but Petron-Talk 'N Text II in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals had just been set up. Behind rookie Chris Lutz’s brilliant plays, Petron dominated the Meralco Bolts the entire game for an 80-64 win to formalize the Boosters' Final Four entry in the season-opening meet Wednesday night in front of a packed crowd at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Lutz, picked third overall in this year’s draft, scored 21 points to pace Petron's 2-0 sweep of Meralco in their best-of-three quarterfinals series. The Filipino-American rookie out of Marshall University provided one of the game's highlight-reel plays, scoring on a stunning reverse lay up and draining a huge three-pointer in the fourth period that kept a rallying Meralco at bay. "Holding a Meralco team to just 64 points is a great one for this team," said Lutz. Arwind Santos added 18 points and Joseph Yeo and Dennis Miranda combined for 25 markers for the Boosters, who are now looking forward to their best-of-seven semifinals encounter with defending champion Tropang Texters. Petron beat Talk 'N Text in seven games for the Governors Cup title last year, denying the telecommunications franchise of becoming the first team in the last 15 seasons of completing a rare Grand Slam. "We want to enjoy the moment. We'll start preparing against Talk 'N Text after the holiday break,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin. Gabby Espinas tallied 20 points for the Bolts, who were again denied of earning a first-ever semis stint in their young franchise history. The power forward out of Philippine Christian University sparked the Bolts' comeback from and 18-point deficit (56-38) as Meralco moved within six, 58-52, on Mark Cardona's two free throws in the final quarter. But Lutz drained a three-pointer to ignite the Boosters' 17-5 counter run. Yeo then capped the blast by hitting from beyond the arc as Petron widened the gap anew at 75-57. "It just so happened that we played good defense against them," added Agustin, noting how the Boosters limited Cardona and the explosive Sol Mercado to 10 and nine points each. — JVP, GMA News