McClary exploded with 44 points and 22 rebounds in a scintillating performance which he thought was the product of the inspiration provided by the arrival of his wife Michelle and his desire to show up his former team.
No one came close to matching McClary’s hot game as the Tigers made it three-of-three versus the Phone Pals this conference and gained the decisive headstart in their semis showdown.
"Playing the team that released me, that’s the No. 1 motivation for me. And I just felt good when I woke up this morning as I would fetch in the airport my wife whom I’d never seen the last three and a half months," said McClary.
McClary, who won a Best Player of the Conference trophy while playing for the PLDT franchise in 1998, came out hot and poured on the heat throughout his 41-minute stint on the floor, logging his largest output in the tourney.
He could have easily topped his PBA best output of 48 points with Mobiline in 1997 had Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes not opted to pull him out with 1:41 left to play.
McClary admitted they enjoyed a big break with Alapag deciding not to suit up for the game. Alapag realized the risk he would take even as his doctor gave him the clearance to play.
"It’s a sad feeling playing without Alapag. But that’s basketball. There are certain things you can’t control," said McClary.
Badly missing the court savvy and leadership of the Fil-Am guard from Cal State San Bernardino, the Phone Pals struggled on the floor, falling behind by as many as 20 points at one point.
The Tigers ripped the game wide open at 62-42, as they came back from the halftime huddle on fire, unleashing a vicious 23-8 run.
"Ayaw yatang manalo ng Talk n Text. Mukhang pinag-aralan ang history," said Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes referring to his curious history of failures in the finals after winning Game One.
San Miguel broke the ice in its own semis duel with Sta. Lucia as the Beermen walloped the Realtors, 109-88, in a game marred by the ejection of Marlou Aquino on two flagrant fouls.
"This game can’t be used as gauge of the series. Sta. Lucia came into this game tired after being extended to a rubbermatch (by Alaska in their quarterfinals showdown)," said San Miguel coach Jong Uichico. "With a two-game rest, I’m sure they’ll come back strong in Game Two."
Kidding aside, Reyes agreed with McClary "the outcome was like that because they’re missing Alapag."
But Reyes and McClary were confident they can make it two in a row Wednesday even in the presence of Alapag if the team does what it is supposed to do.
Damien Cantrell, who made a big impact in their quarterfinal duel with Red Bull Barako, was practically missing in action last night, scoring only 14 points – the bulk of which he made after the Tigers had pulled away to 52-36.
Asi Taulava also had a mediocre game with only 11 points and 12 rebounds — both below his averages of 17.9 points and 12.2 rebounds.