Game Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. — Talk 'N Text vs Alaska

San Miguel Beer watched Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate James Yap miss two free throws and a three-point shot in the last three minutes to escape with a 91-83 win and earn a return ticket to the finals of the PBA Fiesta Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Gabe Freeman scored 26 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, while wingman Jay Washington added 18 markers and 13 boards as SMB moved to the Finals for the 31st time – 27th in an import-laden conference.

The Beermen actually took a 77-64 advantage with under eight minutes to play, but the Llamados rallied back behind import Tony Washam, whose lay-up trimmed the deficit to 75-79 with 4:08 left in the game.

After Alex Cabagnot made two free throws, B-Meg failed to convert on crucial possessions, including Yap’s two missed free throws when Joseph Yeo committed a Flagrant Foul 1 on Marc Pingris. Yap also missed a three-pointer after his bungled free throws.

Washington made two more foul shots in the ensuing play and B-Meg’s Washam was slapped an offensive foul that all dashed their slim hopes of turning the tide in their favor.

The Beermen wrapped up their best-of-seven semis series, 4-2.

Earlier, Alaska used a scorching 20-6 run in the second half to turn back Talk N’ Text, 94-83, and force a do-or-die match in their own semis series.

Hardworking import Diamon Simpson produced a double-double job with 21 point and 18 boards as the Aces leveled their semifinals series with the Texters at 3-all.

“Basically, the glaring difference is our effort in the game,” said SMB mentor Siot Tanquincen, who will be in his fourth Finals as a coach and second with SMB after leading the team to the championship last year against Ginebra.

The scores:
First Game
ALASKA 94 — Simpson 21, De Vance 19, Baguio 14, Tenorio 12, Dela Cruz 11, Borboran 8, Hugnatan 8, Fonacier 1.
TALK 'N TEXT 83 — Alapag 20, Castro 19, Daniels 16, Williams 11, De Ocampo 7, Dillinger 4, Carey 3, Cardona 2, Yee 1, Aban 0.
Quarters: 31-17, 54-43, 77-63, 94-83.

Second Game
SAN MIGUEL 91 — Freeman 26, Washington 18, Santos 14, Cabagnot 12, Yeo 8, Hontiveros 5, Ildefonso 5, Villanueva 3, Peña 0.
B-MEG 83 — Washam 30, Yap. R. 15, Yap J. 14, Simon 6, Artadi 5, Pingris 5, Reavis 4, Maierhofer 2, Allado 2, Canaleta 0, Adducul 0.
Quarters: 25-16, 51-42, 71-58, 91-83.