The Slashers actually squandered an early 13-point lead but kept their poise, outplaying the Knights at crunchtime as they made it two in a row in the series to the delight of the roaring, overflowing hometown crowd at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
The Slashers have a chance to surge ahead in the series with Game Five also set in their home court at 4 p.m. today. Game Six – and Game Seven if necessary – will be played at the San Juan Gym.
Cheered on by their fans, the Slashers got off to a strong start and also unleashed a big finishing kick, foiling the Knights’ bid to take a commanding three-game-to-one lead in the series.
Getting a big lift from John Ferriols the last time out, Negros called on Cardel this time.
And Cardel didn’t disappoint his teammates and their fans as the former La Salle Green Archer responded in the affirmative, erupting for 23 points, including the clutch free throws that thwarted San Juan’s last-ditch rally.
The game was stopped for a brief moment in the third quarter with the crowd pelting coins and debris on the San Juan bench after Ruben dela Rosa took a bad fall on a dangerous foul by Kelani Ferreira.
Despite the incident, the Knights kept their composure, putting up a whale of a fight only to yield the game in the end as they fired blanks from the long court in the home stretch.
Falling behind by four, 67-71, at the end of the third quarter, the Slashers regained control as they started the last quarter with an 8-0 run behind Ferriols, Cid White and Leo Bat-og.
Negros never relaxed and put tremendous pressure on San Juan as it built an 86-79 lead entering the final minute. — Joey Villar