Analysis: Petron getting the job done against Meralco

The Semifinals cast is complete: On the other bracket is a new blood with Rain or Shine and Powerade Tigers beating their respective adversaries, Ginebra and B-Meg and the other bracket being old rivals, Petron Blaze Boosters versus Talk and Text Tropang Texters. For Talk and Text Tropang Texters, they had the luxury of the twice-to-beat advantage and got the first semifinals seat early after beating Barako Bull 81-79. For Petron, they had to do it twice against Meralco Bolts, and it didn't come easy. 

Petron's first win came last Friday, December 16 - at the 91-84 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, coming from Alex's back-to-back 4 point plays. [Relieve it here]. They had been able to contain the powerhouse duo of Mac Cardona & Solomon Mercado with their team defense. 

After their Friday victory, Petron fans got to witness the Powerade Tigers eliminating the top-seeded B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, with this, the Petron team used this at their advantage not to get beaten twice by the inspired Bolts. They've managed to close out their Quarterfinals series by holding off the Bolts to just 64 points in a game where "Mr. Clutch" Alex Cabagnot only played for 3 minutes because of a groin injury that happened during the last 2 minutes of Game 1. 

Petron did not panic even if their court general was not on the floor for them, every healthy Petron player managed to show their game: Rob Reyes, having 5 of the 9 blocks of the team showed no mercy to the likes of Solomon Mercado who knows his way of finding his shots. Chris Lutz all around game provided the energy for the team. Of course, the same old Arwind Santos, the league's best rebounder -had an all around game of 18 points and 7 rebounds. 

What managed to impress Petron fans is Petron's newest team rebounder - Joseph Yeo who had 13 points & 11 rebounds. They did win twice against Meralco because of team defense. With the likes of Axel Doruelo and Nonoy Baclao contributing to the cause of Petron, nobody should downplay their chances, like those who have thought Powerade is just a shoo-in the quarterfinals. 

OLD and NEW, things get interesting when the Semifinals series start on January 4 (for Powerade and ROS) and January 5 (for Talk and Text and Petron)

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