Danny Ildefonso just reminded everybody about his rich championship experience.

Ildefonso hit two big shots down the stretch, including his first-ever buzzer-beater, to lift Petron Blaze to an 89-88 win over heavily-favored Talk N Text Sunday at the start of their PBA Governors Cup title duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Sunday Salvacion scored a game-high 19 points and Anthony Grundy notched a first PBA career triple-double, but it was Ildefonso’s late-game heroics that helped the Boosters steal the opener of the best-of-seven series.

Ildefonso turned a steal into a fastbreak layup and, following an undergoal stab by Ryan Reyes, scored on a high-arcing baseline jumper that spelled the game difference.

“God na nag-shoot noon,” said the 34-year-old of his game-winner, his first in a league-most 16 finals with the team formerly known as San Miguel Beer which he won seven titles in a career that started in 1998.

“Nagamit niya ang kanyang experience,” noted Petron coach Ato Agustin of Ildefonso. “He was our leader inside the court at ipinakita niya iyon.”

The loss was a bitter one to swallow for Talk N Text, which led by as many as 15 points in the second period and had an 85-76 lead, going to the last 3:13 of the game.

Despite the win, however, Agustin maintained the Tropang Texters remain as the favorites going to Game 2 at the Mindanao Civic Center Gym in Tubod, Lanao de Norte.

The scores:

PETRON 89 - Salvacion 19, Grundy 17, Ildefonso 13, Santos 12, Miranda 12, Cabagnot 9, Pennisi 5, Duncil 2, Baclao 0, Hubalde 0.

TALK N' TEXT 88 - Alapag 18, Fonacier 16, De Ocampo 13, Williams 10, Reyes 8, Castro 7, Carey 6, Peek 6, Reynolds 4, Yee 0, Dillinger 0, Aban 0.

Quarters: 32-40, 51-55, 67-74, 89-88

(article and photo from www.pba.ph)