MANILA, Philippines - It was sweet redemption for the Petron Blaze Boosters as they defeated the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in Game 7 of the PBA Governors Cup Finals, 85-73, taking home the title by winning the series, 4 games to 3.
Arwind Santos named finals MVP.
A series that many thought would be easy for the Texters instead went all the way to a do-or-die Game 7, where both teams left everything on the court.
With their victory, Petron not only won the championship, but also avenged their loss to Talk N Text in last conference's Finals. They also prevented Talk N Text from achieving a historic grand slam.
Arwind Santos sealed the win for Petron with 37.5 seconds to go, when scored on a dunk after Talk N Text turned the ball over.
The Texters were unable to get their offensive going, and also suffered several defensive breakdowns that led to easy lay-ups for Petron.
Talk N Text had to finish the game without spitfire guard Jason Castro. Castro suffered a sprained ankle in the 2nd period, and left the game for good in the 3rd quarter.
Anthony Grundy bounced back from a horrible Game 6, leading the Blazers in scoring while also playing defense on TNT counterpart Maurice Baker.
With the victory, Coach Ato Agustin became the 2nd coach to win a championship in his rookie season.
Kelly Williams was able to keep Talk N Text in the game in the third period, as he scored 9 points in the quarter, most of which came from lay-ups.
Season MVP Jimmy Alapag also gave the Texters a lift with a buzzer beating 3-pointer to end the period.
But Petron still led by double-digits, 64-53, going into the final period
The Blazers started the game on fire from the floor, with Denok Miranda scoring the first 7 points for Petron.
Grundy immediately made his presence felt with a 3-pointer that gave Petron an early 5-point lead at 10-5.
Ranidel De Ocampo kept the Texters in the game with timely baskets midway through the opening period.
Momentum shifted the Texters' way in the 2nd quarter, when Jojo Duncil was sent off the court after incurring a flagrant foul against Maurice Baker.
Duncil had stuck out his foot while Baker was taking a shot.
De Ocampo had a chance to get Petron's lead down to 4 at the end of the half, but his lay-up was soundly rejected by Santos.
Petron led 40-34 going into the break.
Adding to the Texters' 1st half woes were the 4 fouls called against Baker, forcing Reyes to go to his bench for a stopper against Grundy.
TNT's scorers, meanwhile, had trouble connecting from the field, with Larry Fonacier and Kelly Williams both unable to find the bottom of the net on their scoring attempts.
Miranda had 11 first half points to lead Petron, while de Ocampo had 15 points for TNT.
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