MANILA — Redeeming himself, James Yap nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with 13.4 seconds left to propel the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers to a thrilling 79-76 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in Game 5 of their PBA PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup semifinals series Saturday night at Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Two nights earlier in Game 4 of the series, Yap missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer, enabling Ginebra to score an 85-82 victory. On Saturday night, the two-time MVP found himself with the ball and the chance to either redeem himself or become a two-time loser with time winding down and Ginebra ahead, 76-75. In a play designed for him by San Mig head coach Tim Cone, Yap coolly uncorked his trademark fallaway three-pointer off Mac Baracael that found its mark to give San Mig a 78-76 lead. The Kings had two chances to regain the lead but blew them away as LA Tenorio missed two consecutive layups sandwiched by a free throw by San Mig rookie Justin Melton. With the win, the Mixers took a 3-2 series lead with the chance to bundle out the Kings in Game 6 Monday. Mark Barroca once again starred for the Mixers finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Four other Mixers scored in double digits with Marc Pingris finishing with12 points and five rebounds and PJ Simon, Rafi Reavis and Yap adding 10 apiece and combining for 17 rebounds. Yap's clutch basket eclipsed an exceptional performance by Ginebra sophomore Chris Ellis, who scored a team-high 20 points. Averaging just 6.3 points per game, Ellis finished in double digits for the first time in the series. His pull-up jumper gave Ginebra the lead, 76-75, time down to 22 seconds. Jay R Reyes was the only other King in double figures with 11 points. Ginebra's Twin Towers – Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter – once again struggled, scoring just nine points apiece and combining for 18 rebounds. Tenorio, Ginebra's usually reliable finisher, likewise struggled, scoring just nine points on a mediocre 3-of-13 shooting from the field. Although he had seven assists, the Ginebra point guard had a conference-high tying six turnovers, credited to the pesky defense put up on him by Barroca. Ginebra top gun Mark Caguioa was likewise a non-factor, finishing with just six points. The Mixers converted an impressive 30 of 63 shots (47.6 percent) from the floor, but managed just 16-of-28 (57.1 percent) from the free throw line.
The Kings shot just 35.8 percent from the field, making only 29 of 81 shots, and had a conference-high 24 turnovers, which the Mixers translated to 27 points. Ginebra lost despite winning the rebounding battle, 52-40, including 22-10 on the offensive board. Game Monday: San Mig Super Coffee vs. Barangay Ginebra (Game 6, semis).
