Blaze burn bright as Cabagnot triple gives Petron 2-1 edge over TNT

Alex Cabagnot did it again for Petron, hitting a decisive three-point shot in the endgame that capped a phenomenal 95-93 come-from-behind win over Talk `N Text, good for a 2-1 lead in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at the Astrodome Monday night. The booming trey by the Boosters’ top playmaker in the final 12.9 seconds put the team in front for good, 94-93, after trailing by as much as 28-48 late in the second period. Chris Lutz then added a free throw with 2.6 seconds to go for the final margin as Talk `N Text’s bid to send the game into overtime went up in smoke when big man Ranidel de Ocampo missed on an open jumper at the final buzzer. “Coach designed the play. Naka-tsamba lang ulit,” said Cabagnot of the latest game-winning shot he converted for the Boosters. He finished with 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting and dished out eight assists. Arwind Santos submitted another monster game of 25 points and 16 rebounds, while Denok Miranda, his former Far Eastern University point guard, added 20 for Petron, which won for the second straight game in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is set on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum, which Talk `N Text mentor Chot Reyes says is a must for his team after obviously letting Petron steal this one from them. “We allowed them to comeback. That’s what happens when you don’t take care of business,” rued Reyes. “We’re losing the series on mental lapses. There’s no more room for that on Game 4. We have to win on Wednesday or we’ll go home.” De Ocampo had his best game of the series with 20 points, while Japeth Aguilar finished with 16 markers – 13 of them in the first half – and three blocked shots for Talk `N Text, which twice led by as many as 20 points. The Tropang Texters actually were still leading 89-77 following a three-pointer by Larry Fonacier when the defending champions suddenly started firing blanks. Holding them without a field goal in the final 7:57, the Boosters pounced on the Tropang Texters, uncorking a 17-4 run highlighted by Cabagnot’s three-pointer to finally grab the upper hand. Talk `N Text had a chance to retake the lead after Cabagnot drained the go-ahead shot, but an open Larry Fonacier missed a three-pointer from the side that led to a rebound by Lutz and a foul to boot, for two free looks at the hoop. -- AMD/OMG, GMA News    The scores: Petron 95 - Santos 25, Miranda 20, Ildefonso 13, Cabagnot 12, Lutz 11, Yeo 9, Reyes 5, Doruelo 0, Agustin 0, Baclao 0, Tugade 0. Talk ‘N Text 93 - De Ocampo 20, Aguilar 16, Alapag 15, Dillinger 12, Williams 9, Carey 6, Castro 5, Fonacier 5, Peek 5, Reyes 0.             Quarterscores: 18-25, 38-48, 67-75, 95-93