MAGNOLIA Ang Pambansang Manok would not be denied its date with destiny.
Romeo Travis, despite a pulled left hamstring, made sure of that by scattering a career-high 50 points in leading the Hotshots to a 112-108 win over Barangay Ginebra Friday at the Ynares center in Antipolo and into the PBA Governors Cup finals.
Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon and even another injured player in Paul Lee did their part in the stretch, enabling Magnolia to come out on top of the hard-fought game, seal the best-of-five semifinals duel 3-1 and foil reigning back-to-back champion Ginebra's bid for a third straight finals appearance.
Mainly, however, it was all about Travis, who made 20 of 26 shots in a big bounce-back from his 12-point performance in a 103-107 loss last Wednesday, when he hurt his leg.
"I didn't want a Game 5," explained Travis, who also had 13 rebounds. "The way my leg is feeling, I couldn't play in Game 5."
Sponsored content:
Coach Chito Victolero bore Travis' statement out.
"It's a Grade 2 hamstring injury," related Victolero, who admitted to having a backup in case the series got dragged into a decider.
"Since yesterday hirap siya. He got the clearance this morning. Pero grabe puso nitong si Romeo. Kinausap niya ako, he said: 'Don't worry I'll do my best.' Sa klase ng inilaro niya parang walang injury."
Indeed, Travis showed his huge heart by scoring 21 of his output in the fourth quarter, his heroics capped by a three-point play that pushed Magnolia ahead 108-106, still 44 ticks left.
Ginebra is now hurting even more.
Sponsored content:
Justin Brownlee's fallaway jumper brought the Kings within 108-110, but Lee, suffering from a sore knee, sealed the deal with two free throws that highlighted the Hotshots' impeccable 9-of-9 free throw shooting for the quarter.
Lee wound up with 11 points, backstopping the efforts of Travis and Sangalang, who notched 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jalalon was the team's next best scorer with nine points, including two freebies that made it a 110-106 count, 23.7 seconds to go.
Japeth Aguilar added 25 points and 14 rebounds for Ginebra while Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio and Joe Devance had at least 11 markers each.
After earning its second finals stint in three conferences this season, Magnolia now awaits the winner of the other semifinals duel pitting Alaska and Meralco, a series that the Aces lead 2-1 heading to Saturday's Game 4. (NC)
The scores:
Magnolia 112 - Travis 50, Sangalang 14, Lee 11, Jalalon 9, Herndon 8, Barroca 8, Simon 6, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 2, Melton 0, Brondial 0.
Ginebra 108 - Brownlee 32, Aguilar 25, Thompson 12, Tenorio 12, Devance 11, Slaughter 7, Mercado 5, Chan 2, Mariano 2, Ferrer 0.
Quarters: 20-27, 51-53, 81-79, 112-108
