by John Paul Marquez

James Yap nailed a conference high 30 points to escort B-Meg Llamados in a crucial victory against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 91-81, to take Game 5, still trailing 3-2, and keeping their championship hopes alive, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Finals showdown in the current PBA Governors Cup Finals.

                Even without Marc Pingris, the Llamados were able to win the game, B-Meg dropping a 7-2 run. Yap called for fragrant foul after he landed a punch to Jireh Ybanez with 2:54 left, as well as Ybanez, but RoS able to chopped down the lead ending the first quarter 18-19. James Yap was still working hard on his offensive side hitting a buzzer beater three to accompany his team, 44-41 lead after the first half. Yap accumulated a total of 18 points in the first half.

                    Llamados Import Marcus Blakely also put a show with his total of 24 points. In the third canto Llamados continued to broaden their lead after PJ Simon trey 59-51. Physicality continued on both side as Beau Belga of RoS ejected in the playing court after he blocked hard Blakely. Belga commmited his second technical foul while Blakely was also called for a t-foul for taunting. They ended up the quarter 70-61.

                   RoS import Jamelle Cornley tallied for 25 markers but it’s not enough to support his team until they collapsed in the final canto. RoS knight in shining armor in game 4 Gabe Norwood's presence was not felt in the last game for he’s got nothing. The same with their hot shot Jeff Chan who dished for only 12 points.

              RoS still has two chances for the title but they have to have a gun that can fire on the next game to grab their championship crown.

                 Before the game started NBA Champion Miami Heat’s Fil-Am Head Coach Erik Spoelstra presented his Larry ‘O Brien to the crowd, and after the game, he went to the bench of the Llamados to congratulate them.

                     The next game will be on August 3 at the same venue. Llamados will try to push a sudden death game while the RoS wants to end the season as early as they can.






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