PBA: B-MEG holds off Ginebra for 2-0 semis series lead

B-MEG coach Tim Cone said the Llamados need to double their efforts if they want to finish off Barangay Ginebra on Sunday and sweep their best-of-five semifinals series in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. "I told the players that it takes a special effort to go up 2-0 and there's a reason for that, a team adjusting is an advantage. To go 3-0 (needs) special effort, times two," said the American mentor moments after the Llamados' 83-77 victory opposite the Gin Kings.

B-MEG chief gunner James Yap earning his 700th career three-point field goal made the win extra special for the Llamados. The former University of the East King Warrior achieved the feat in the first quarter with his three-pointer, tying the game at 14-14. Yap now joins an elite cast that includes fellow Red Warrior Allan "The Triggerman" Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc and recently Mick Pennisi of Barako Bull. Caidic and Magsanoc are members of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players of All-Time. Cone said they will go for the clincher on Sunday, April 15, at the Cuneta Astrodome. "We'll go for it obviously. But it will take a lot of calmness living through mistakes, living through calls and keep moving forward." But Cone believes his team can complete the sweep against a Ginebra side that is known for its never-say-die spirit. "This team has toughened up and they come up strong when they get behind. They know what they have to do." And B-MEG showed that they do know what to do inside the playing court when it rallied back from the game after trailing by seven, 12-5, early in the first quarter. The Gin Kings went on a 9-0 run to enjoy that brief lead. B-MEG, behind import Denzel Bowles and Joshua Urbiztondo's combined efforts, grabbed a 23-19 lead after 12 minutes of play. KG Canaleta came off the bench to provide Ginebra with the needed offense in the second quarter and the Gin Kings entered the halftime break holding a 41-37 advantage. It was a see-saw battle after that with B-MEG also posting a seven-point lead, 75-68, with still more than four minutes left in the final period before Canaleta almost played the hero's role to bring Ginebra back in the game. Canaleta's three free throws tied the match at 75-all with two minutes and 45 seconds left in the game. But B-MEG went on a closing 8-2 run to complete the win. "KG came out and provided (Ginebra) the spark. He got some nice 3's and the crowd got to cheer him," said Cone on the former B-MEG swingman who was traded to Ginebra last year. "We recognized (his presence) and not let him get going." Bowles shot 7-of-19 from the floor to finish with 21 points and 15 rebounds and Yap tallied 16 markers behind 6-of-11 clip. Peter June Simon scattered 15 points while Urbiztondo and Marc Pingris combined for 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Canaleta paced the Kings with 19 points and five rebounds while Mike Cortez added 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Import Jackson Vroman was held to 3-of-10 shooting for 10 points but grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds to go with his three assists, two steals and four blocks. — JVP, GMA News Scores: