Source : InterAKTV
The Boosters pulled off one of the biggest upsets in PBA finals history after blanking the visibly tired Tropang Texters, 85-73, in the winner-take-all game 7 and claiming the 2011 PBA Governors’ Cup crown Sunday night at the jampacked SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Anthony Grundy bounced back from a mediocre game 6 as he finished with 26 points while Arwind Santos was a picture of consistency for Petron with 16 points and 16 rebounds en route to winning the Phoenix Fuel Finals MVP award.
Dennis Miranda also had a big contribution with 16 points, while Danny Ildefonso and Alex Cabagnot chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Boosters, who nailed their 19th PBA crown and prevented Talk ‘N Text from winning only the fifth Grand Slam in league history.
It was the first title for Petron Blaze mentor Ato Agustin, who joined the legendary Robert Jaworski as the only PBA MVP winner to also win a championship as a coach. Agustin won the MVP award in 1992.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord, sa fans at sa management sa suportang ibinigay sa team,” said Agustin, who also won a title in his rookie year in the NCAA with San Sebastian College and in the PBL with Excel Roof.
“Ito ang pinakamasarap na championship ko,” he added. “Ito siguro ang masarap na ganti na talunin sila nang may chance mag-Grand Slam.”
It was a sorry ending for the Tropang Texters, who won the first two conferences and looked poised to sweep the season after finishing with the best record in the semifinals.
They took a 2-1 lead early in the series, but Petron Blaze won the next two games for a 3-2 advantage. Talk ‘N Text won game 6 to set up the ultimate battle.
The Boosters visibly had more energy left in the do-or-die game, leading by as much as 14 points, 62-48, while the Tropang Texters never had a serious run since then as they lost steam, with the long season taking a toll on them.
Maurice Baker led Talk ‘N text with 22 points while Ranidel de Ocampo added 15 points. Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag each had 13 for the Texters.
The Boosters were reduced to 10 men after Jojo Duncil was thrown out of the game for his flagrant foul 2 on Maurice Baker with 6:25 left in the second period. Duncil planted a foot on the landing spot of Baker while attempting for a three-point shot.
The Boosters started hot, leading by as much as 14 points, 27-13, before the Tropang Texters crawled back in the game through the efforts of Baker and Ranidel de Ocampo and trailed by only six, 40-34, going to the break.
The scores:
PETRON 85 – Grundy 26, Santos 16, Miranda 16, Ildefonso 13, Cabagnot 12, Pennisi 2, Duncil 0, Hubalde 0, Salvacion 0.
TALK N’ TEXT 73 – Baker 22, De Ocampo 15, Williams 13, Alapag 13, Carey 6, Castro 2, Peek 2, Dillinger 0, Reyes 0, Aban 0. Fonacier 0, Alvarez 0.
Quarters: 28-17, 40-34, 64-53, 85-73
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