B-Meg, Powerade clash in do-or-die

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed B-Meg and eighth-ranked Powerade, now on equal footing following the Tigers’ 97-88 win Wednesday, clash one more time today to decide which of them advances to the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four.

The Llamados and the Tigers figure in a knockout game at 6 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the winner setting up a best-of-seven semifinal showdown versus the survivor in the Barangay Ginebra-Rain or Shine setto.

Powerade forced a sudden death with B-Meg as the Tigers fought with great resolve and foiled the Llamados’ first shot at the semis Wednesday.

On the same night, Talk n Text withstood Barako Bull’s gritty challenge, 81-79, to book the first slot in the semis.

The Texters now await the winner in the Petron Blaze-Meralco confrontation. The Boosters are 1-0 up following a 91-84 victory Friday.

Needing to win two in a row to survive the quarters, the Powerade Tigers got half of the job done Wednesday night, stopping the Llamados’ eight-game romp.

“Our first win was one of the measures of how far we have gone as a team. Our ability to close out the series against the No. 1 team would be a testament to our character,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“We believe that we have what it takes to win this game,” Perasol added.

B-Meg top official Rene Pardo believed the Llamados were just caught by the law of averages Wednesday. Pardo is confident the team will bounce back strong tonight.

The Tigers, however, now also ooze with optimism and confidence.

“Our players have no doubt in their minds that they can compete. We’ve forced a KO game and we’ll take our chances,” said Perasol.

Gary David scattered 32 points – all in the first three quarters, Marcio Lassiter added 24 points while Doug Kramer contributed 13 rebounds and 10 points to lead the Powerade charge Wednesday.

The Tigers handed the Llamados the sorry loss on the day coach Tim Cone turned 54.

On the eve of the match, Cone said the key would be to be sharp right at the get-go. Coming out sharp, however, were the Tigers.

David and company outworked and outfought the Llamados, taking the half at 50-39 and were hardly threatened the rest of the way. 

James Yap hit his strides a bit late, topscoring for B-Meg with 21, 15 coming in the final half.

The two-time MVP winner bled for his points in the first half, going 2-of-11 from the field.