PBA: Sweet-shooting San Miguel sweeps Talk 'N Text, troops to the finals

The San Miguel Beermen waxed hot from the field, shooting 58 percent to sweep the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, 100-87, in the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.

"At the start of the semis, we were not expecting this to happen. Credit to the players, they worked hard," said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. "We will rest for two days, give them a break. I defined the role of the players, solid sila, we help each other, kahit yung players na di nagagamit very supportive sila. The players are so willing to learn, nadevelop yung chemistry."

With the win, the Beermen now await the winner of the Alaska-Rain or Shine saga for the best-of-seven finals series. Coach Austria is quick to note, though, that it won't be as easy on the road to take home the championship.

"Semis is different from finals. Lahat ng stats isasantabi mo na yan," Austria noted. "It's the desire of the players na gusto manalo. I cannot choose our opponents; these two teams are stronger. What I'm trying to do to our team is to be tough and don't be dirty."

June Mar Fajardo had a monster game, scoring 28 points with 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Alex Cabagnot added 16 points off the bench, while Chris Lutz chipped in 15. Arwind Santos registered a double-double, scoring 13 points with 10 boards. Ronald Tubid was also a spark plug off the bench with 11.

The Beermen scored 24 points in the first and the third quarters, while piling up 25 points in the second to lead by 16 points, 73-57, heading into the fourth period.

The Tropang Texters tried to put up one last run to start the final frame, uncorking a 12-5 run to cut the lead to nine points after a Jimmy Alapag trey, 75-66. Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot responded with five points, while Fajardo knocked down back to back jumpers to stretch the lead to 16 anew, 88-72, with 4:08 remaining.

Alapag, Siegle, and Jayson Castro wouldn't go down without a fight, though, connecting on jumpers to trim the lead to eight with 68 ticks to go 92-84. Back to back splits from Chris Lutz and Fajardo quickly rebuilt an 11-point lead. San Miguel did enough from the foul line to keep Talk 'N Text at bay, securing the victory.

Jimmy Alapag led Talk 'N Text with 17 points with seven boards, three steals and two assists. Ranidel De Ocampo struggled with 13 points off a 4 of 14 shooting clip. Larry Fonacier also had 12, along with Danny Siegle. Matt Ganuelas-Rosser had 11. - Renee Fopalan/JST, GMA News

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 100 - Fajardo 28, Cabagnot 16, Lutz 15, Santos 13, Tubid 11, Lassiter 7, Ross 6, Maierhofer 2, Omolon 2, Kramer 0, Pascual 0, Fortuna 0, Semerad 0, Chua 0.

TALK 'N TEXT  87 - Alapag 17, Fonacier 12, Seigle 12, Rosser 11, De Ocampo 11, Castro 6, Reyes R. 5, Williams 5, Washington 4, Alas 4, Carey 0, Reyes R. J. 0, Espiritu 0, Aban 0.

Quarters:  24-20, 49-38, 73-57, 100-87