James Yap of B-Meg Derby Ace comes up with a one-handed shot over San Miguel’s Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot during Game 5 of their PBA Fiesta Cup semis series Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum. (Photo by BOB DUNGO, JR.)

Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Alaska vs Talk ’N Text
6:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs B-Meg Derby Ace

Reigning Philippine Cup champion B-Meg Derby Ace kept its bid for a championship double alive as it downed defending champion San Miguel Beer, 88-82, in Game 5 of their semifinal series in the PBA Fiesta Cup Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Llamados got solid performances from their two bigmen in Marc Pingris and Rafi Reavis to cut San Miguel’s lead to 3-2 in their best-of-seven semis series.

Tony Washam, as usual, led the scoring for the Llamados with 28 points but the firepower provided by the 6-foot-5 Pingris and Reavis made the difference.

Better known for his rebounding prowess, Pingris tallied 17 points to complete a double-double show. He also had 10 rebounds.

But more than that, he made up for the so-so shooting of James Yap, who was held to just seven points – his lowest output this conference.

The 6-foot-7 Reavis was equally deadly, posting 16 points and 13 rebounds – his first double-double performance this conference.

Even guard Paul Artadi had his own moments of glory as he logged 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

“We’re really trying to dig deep and try to salvage the conference. We’re so lucky to pull it through,” Gregorio said. “It’s nice to play Sunday (Game 6). I hope we can still prolong our season. But it’s still a do-or-die match for us.”

In league history, 32 of 34 teams who led 3-1 after four games in a seven-game series went on to win the championship.

“We’re not here to rewrite history. We’re just here to play the game and hopefully to stay alive.”

Down by a single point, 77-76, Washam, B-Meg’s third import this conference, made seven straight points. He first was when he made two free throws off a Jay Washington foul, followed by three shots from the stripe when Arwind Santos fouled him while attempting the rainbow territory.

He then capped his scoring binge with a jumper from the left corner that gave the Llamados an 83-77 advantage with 2:15 to play.

The scores:
First Game
B-MEG DERBY ACE 88 — Washam 28,Pingris 17, Reavis 16, Artadi 10, Yap J. 7, Simon 5, Yap R. 3, Canaleta 2, Maierhofer 0, Adducul 0, Allado 0.
SAN MIGUEL 82 — Freeman 18, Yeo 14, Santos 14, Washington 14, Hontiveros 7, Racela 5, Villanueva 4, Cabagnot 4, Ildefonso 2, Tugade 0, Peña 0.
Quarters: 23-18, 44-43, 64-64, 88-82.