B-MEG DERBY ACE LIVES FOR ANOTHER DAY, FORCES GAME 6

Ryan Gregorio is not looking past Game 6. But the B-Meg Derby Ace head coach thinks there’s a purpose why the Llamados are still alive. Import Tony Washam scored 14 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter as B-Meg Derby Ace staved off elimination with an 88-82 victory against San Miguel Beer in Game 5 of their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinal series Friday at the Araneta Coliseum. The defending champion Beermen still leads the series 3-2 so Sunday’s Game 6 which will also take place also at the Big Dome will be another do-or-die stint for the Llamados, who managed to overcome the same predicament back in 2006 while carrying the colors of Purefoods. That team trailed Alaska 3-1 in the 2006 Philippine Cup semifinals but rallied to win the next three games to stun the Aces and eventually claim the championship after beating Red Bull in the Finals.

Beermen Takes a Commanding 3-1 lead in the Series Against B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados

Mighty San Miguel Beer is a game away from gaining a shot at back-to-back PBA Fiesta Conference championships. The Beermen, the reigning champs with fresher legs, wore down the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados, 83-75, to move in the doorstep of the finals Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Cashing in heavily on their domination off the boards, the Beermen opened a 14-point spread, 75-61, midway through the final period and went on to get the pivotal 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

Daniels leads TNT In 83-62 Rout Of Alaska; SERIES NOW TIED 2-ALL

Under the threat of being replaced, Shawn Daniels asserted himself in Game 4 as Talk ‘N Text bowled over Alaska, 83-62 Wednesday to even their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinal series at two games apiece at the Cuneta Astrodome. The portly import scored 13 points to share scoring honors with teammate Jason Castro and grabbed 14 rebounds in a game that may decide his fate with the team.

ALASKA GAIN UPPERHAND, UP 2-1

LA Tenorio outshone Jimmy Alapag in Game One then the Talk n Text point guard turned things around in the next game.

Being upstaged for the second straight game, Tenorio stole the thunder in the end as Alaska Milk upended Talk n Text, 90-86, for the crucial 2-1 lead in their PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Tenorio struggled most of the way but delivered when needed the most as the Aces moved to within two games of the finals.

The former Ateneo star guard scored all of their last seven points after being held down to two points in the first 47 minutes of play.

Beermen Outlasts Llamados, lead 2-1 in their Series

THERE is another side to San Miguel Beer it fully bared to B-Meg Derby Ace Sunday.

The Beermen were at their most awesome on the defensive end in hacking out a 74-70 victory and wresting back the upper hand in their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Arwind Santos drained a crucial right corner triple that shattered the last deadlock and pegged a 73-70 count, still 65 seconds to go, before SMB harried Derby Ace into muffing three of its last four offensive thrusts.

The only other Llamados possession resulted in a decisive inbounding error and led to a charity by Dondon Hontiveros for the final count, only 21.7 ticks left.

That tough defensive stance after being jolted by several 12-point deficits early enabled SMB to hold Derby Ace to just 25 points in the second half, both a conference low and season-tying worst for the league.

It also resulted in the win that bounced the Beermen back from a numbing 94-95 loss in the best-of-seven duel’s Game 2 only last Friday and made coach Siot Tanquingcen beam about his charges’ overall defensive efforts.

B-MEG TIES SERIES ON WALSHAM HEROICS

MAKING the game’s biggest offensive play wasn’t enough for Tony Washam. He preserved it by pulling off the game’s biggest stop, too.

Derby Ace’s prolific import completed a three-point play with 7.9 seconds remaining, and then added further luster to it with a steal in the subsequent possession, and the Llamados successfully fought back from an 18-point deficit in a gut-wrenching 95-94 victory over San Miguel Beer Friday night in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The man who struggled in the series opener on 6-of-18 field-goal shooting scored 33 points, 10 coming in the final period punctuated by a strong move to the basket. He connected on a lay-up, drew the sixth and final foul from Gabe Freeman and sank the bonus shot as Derby Ace tied the series at one game apiece.

Talk N Text Point GuradGet Back on Tenorio

Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes and Jason Castro responded to their coach’s challenge and Talk N' Text rebounded from its embarrassing defeat in Game 1.

Alapag had a brilliant second half where he scored all his 25 points which helped propel the Tropang Texters to a 100-94 victory against the Alaska Aces Friday and evened their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals series at one game apiece.

“L.A. Tenorio manhandled us in Game 1. So the challenge for Jimmy and Jason (Castro) was to make sure it does not happen again,” said Talk 'N Text head coach Chot Reyes.

After a scoreless first half, Alapag made 8 of 11 shots in the second half, including 5 of 8 from the three-point range on the way to a double-double effort as he also had 10 assists.