DEFENDING champion San Miguel Beer played with the heart of a champion despite a hobbling lineup to score an 89-82 win over Meralco on Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation gym.
Mo Tautuaa proved himself as a key component of the Beermen’s rotation in the absence of six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot took charge to stave off a Meralco side hungry for the champions’ hide.
“We are so lucky in the fourth quarter because we were able to catch up,” San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said. “The players know it’s winning time and they know how to win.”
We banked on the experience of the players,” he added.
Tautuaa scored for 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to go with five rebounds, while Cabagnot made nine of his 13 points also in that playoff period, including those clutch baskets that put San Miguel Beer ahead, 86-80, with more than two-and-a-half minutes to play.
Veteran playmaker Chris Ross—who scattered 12 points, five steals and four assists—delivered the coup de grace—a three-pointer that provided the Beermen breathing space, 89-82, with only 19 seconds remaining.
They were never threatened after that and the Beermen picked up their third straight triumph.
Arwind Santos had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds and Marcio Lassiter added 12 points for the Beermen.
San Miguel Beer improved to 4-2 won-lost to tie Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Phoenix Super LPG at third place.
Fajardo is recovering from a leg injury while Terrence Romeo is nursing with a dislocated shoulder.
Baser Amer scored 17 points for the Bolts, who led by as many as 67-54 with less than a minute left in the third period.
San Miguel Beer responded with a blazing 19-4 run spiked by Tautuaa’s big baskets for a 79-73 advantage with under four minute remaining.
The Bolts dropped to a 3-card.
Scores:
San Miguel Beer 89 – Tautuaa 23, Santos 17, Lassiter 12, Ross 12, Cabagnot 13, Gamalinda 4, Pessumal 4,, Zamar 2, Escoto 2, Mamaril 0.
Meralco 82 – Amer 17, Hugnatan 15, Newsome 14, Hodge 7, Quinto 6, Almazan 5, Maliksi 5, Jamito 4, Pinto 2, Faundo 0, Black 7, Jackson 0.
Quarters: 19-20, 40-40, 60 69, 89-82.
1 comment
Isa ako masugid na fan ng SMB at ako ay nalulungkot dahil 2x silang natalo sa Meralco dahil hindi nag step up si Mo Tautuaa kalat ang laro at pag magblock s player n magtake off ay sa iba ring nagpalpal. Even defense d makita ung lakas niya d gaya ni hardingger dapat di iyon pinalitan