By Rey Joble

GAME 4 of the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup best-of-seven semis series last night at the Cuneta Astrodome was another shootout encounter. The Tropang Texters of Talk N Text came out fully loaded and preserved their best for last.

The Tropang Texters squandered an 18-point lead, fought back from a double-digit deficit and brought their A-grade game down the stretch to upstage the San Miguel Beermen, 106-103, for a commanding 3-1 series lead.

With the win, the Tropang Texters moved within striking distance of securing the first finals berth. A victory tomorrow will put them in their second championship appearance in two seasons.

But the Tropang Texters, expected to waltz to an easy victory, was pushed to the limit by a hard-fighting Beermen crew.

Trailing 28-46 midway the second quarter, the Beermen regrouped in the second half. A furious 24-8 exchange enabled San Miguel to take control of the match as it posted its first sizeable lead, 85-74, behind the combined efforts of Danny Seigle, Jay Washington and Wesley Gonzales.

Once a top Beerman, Seigle carried his team on his shoulders, posting up and creating mismatches in both forward positions while playing alongside Washington. The former Rookie of the Year finished with 29 points to lead all scorers.

San Miguel was on the thick of the fight as Seigle converted two free throws to put his team within four, 96-100, but Cardona hit a backbreaking, long tear drop shot.

After both teams traded errors in the ensuing plays, Cardona added three more points from the charity stripe.

The Beermen had one last hope for a miracle when Jonas Villanueva let loose a triple that went in as San Miguel came to within a basket, 103-105, with still 13 seconds left in the match. Jared Dillinger split his charities and coach Siot Tanquingcen?s wards had one last chance to salvage an overtime.

But Bonbon Custodio?s 3-pointer went in?and out?as time expired, leaving Talk N Text in jubilation and San Miguel in frustration.