One of the greatest games in Philippine basketball history. B-Meg defeats Talk 'n Text in Game 7 to win Commissioner's Cup.

B-Meg Llamados celebrate their Commissioner's Cup victory.

Last night, I was at home watching Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between two heavyweight teams, the B-Meg Llamados and the Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters. After 6 games of a tightly contested series, it all came down to this one final showdown between these two talented teams. I was rooting for the Llamados to win the title.

The contest was tightly contested as both teams fought over for control of the game. B-Meg came out of the gates early led by their trio of import Denzel Bowles, James Yap and Peter June Simon, but Talk 'n Text came roaring back led by Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, import Donnell Harvey and their deep cast of players as they took control of the game right down to the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for Talk 'n Text in the 4th, the lose key players along the way like three-point marksman Ranidel de Ocampo to cramps, defensive dynamo Ryan Reyes who has been successful in hounding James Yap defensively to a sore left knee, import Donnell Harvey to fouls and even Jimmy Alapag to cramps. B-Meg took advantage of the situation made a late surge that cut the Talk 'n Text lead to 2 points at 74-76. They had possession with 13 seconds left in the game. James Yap missed a three pointer, but got the ball back and made a pass to Denzel Bowles who missed the lay-up at the buzzer.

After the play I thought that the game was over and Talk 'n Text had won the title, but a twist of fate came along as the referees called a foul on Kelly Williams on the Bowles lay-up. So Bowles came down to the line with the team's fortunes hanging by the palm of his hands and took two free throws under pressure which he sinks to tie the game at 76. Talk 'n Text had 1.2 seconds to work with, but they have no timeouts as Jayson Castro went for a full-court heave that went offline.

Well, as luck turned out we're going to overtime.

In overtime, Bowles took over, the Best Import of the Conference led the Llamados scoring 11 of the Llamados 14 points in overtime as the Tropang Texters had no answers against Bowles after Talk 'n Text import Harvey fouled out in the 4th and eventually their other big man Ali Peek fouled out in overtime. Bowles finished with an impressive statline 39 points, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks. A double-double for the B-Meg import.

The final score: B-Meg Llamados 90-84 Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters

It was an emotional win for the Llamados as seen on the highlights, the entire team from the players like Bowles who was emotional after sinking the two clutch free throws that sent the game into overtime to coach Tim Cone and his assistant coaches, to team manager Alvin "The Captain" Patrimonio who had led the franchise to victories as a player when the team was called Purefoods, and to the entire B-Meg Planet present at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and those watching on television around the Philippines in which coach Cone quotes that he never experienced a fan base that gave their wholehearted love and support to the team.

James Yap was crowned the Finals MVP. Yap finished with 12 points in Game 7. Peter June Simon who struggled in the last 3 games came alive and added 14 points. While point guard Josh Urbiztondo added 12 points.

You've got to give credit to the Tropang Texters who were resilient up to the final moments and kept on fighting despite losing players during the course of the game. Jimmy Alapag led the Tropang Texters with 29 points. Import Donnell Harvey scored 16 before fouling out in the 4th quarter. Larry Fonacier scored 11. Ali Peek scored 10 before fouling out in overtime. Also give credit to Jayson Castro and the rest of the Talk 'n Text team led by coach Chot Reyes, they put on a thriller of a series.

This game could be mentioned as one of the greatest games in Philippine basketball history. Words can describe this game: emotional, thrilling, all-out, resilient, loud, and many words to describe this game. Everything in a Game 7 you can ask for were on display in this great game between these two teams.


Well, I can say that it is one of the greatest games that I have witnessed in my entire life. I myself want to watch replays of this game for this was a epic showdown for the ages.

Once again, Congratulations to the B-Meg Llamados for winning the 2012 PBA Commissioner's Cup. A well deserved victory.

K-Smoove